Ah, the Tesla bumper sticker wars—a perfect snapshot of modern American politics, where even your choice of car has to make a statement. What used to be a simple symbol of wealth, eco-consciousness, and cutting-edge tech has now morphed into a rolling battleground for the culture wars, thanks to Elon Musk’s headline-grabbing political pivot and his cozy relationship with President-elect Donald Trump.
First, let’s talk about Matthew Hiller, the Etsy entrepreneur from Hawaii who’s made a small fortune selling anti-Musk bumper stickers like, “I Bought This Before We Knew Elon Was Crazy.” On the surface, it’s a cheeky way for disgruntled Tesla owners to distance themselves from Musk while keeping their electric vehicles. But dig a little deeper, and it becomes clear that for some, slapping a sticker on a Tesla is less about conscience and more about performative outrage. If Musk is so unbearable, why not sell the car? Oh, that’s right—it’s too convenient to keep driving the very product you’re denouncing.
Just saw this bumper sticker on the back of a Tesla!! Bwahahaha!! pic.twitter.com/7x3OLmnTXG
— Will Kohlschreiber (@WILLonKFI) December 12, 2024
Then there’s the other side of the coin: pro-Musk, pro-Trump Tesla owners like Sean Ziese, who went from hating electric vehicles to buying a Cybertruck because Musk supports free speech and Trump. Ziese’s declaration that he supports Musk “even though I hate E.V.s” perfectly encapsulates the tribalism of today’s politics. Who cares if the product aligns with your values? As long as it triggers the other side, it’s worth it.
What’s fascinating is how Tesla has become so closely tied to Musk’s personal brand. No one feels compelled to put a “Not a Jeff Bezos Fan” sticker on their Kindle or an “Anti-Tim Cook” bumper sticker on their iPhone. Yet with Tesla, owning the car somehow feels like an endorsement of Musk’s every tweet and political move. That’s both a testament to Musk’s marketing genius and a warning about the perils of mixing business with personal ideology.
On the anti-Musk side, there’s the irony of people like Morgan Ames, who printed her own “Shut Up, Elon Musk” stickers but couldn’t find another electric car that matched Tesla’s quality. It’s almost comical—like biting the hand that built your emissions-free dream car while begrudgingly admitting there’s no better alternative. If Musk’s politics are truly so unbearable, why not support one of Tesla’s competitors? Oh, that’s right—because the competition still hasn’t caught up.
Meanwhile, Musk’s supporters are reveling in his political alliances and free speech crusades. For them, Musk isn’t just a CEO; he’s a symbol of defiance against a media and tech establishment they feel has silenced conservative voices. Driving a Tesla with a pro-Musk sticker isn’t just about owning a car; it’s about owning the libs, one mile at a time.
Anti-Elon Musk bumper stickers, many for Tesla owners, are selling fast at a Hawaii man’s online shop. California and SF residents are buying tons.
: https://t.co/0kWaTcU7po pic.twitter.com/SZ7zRGsAYO
— SFGATE (@SFGate) November 26, 2024
The whole thing is both absurd and deeply telling. We’ve reached a point where people can’t even drive to the grocery store without turning their rear bumper into a political manifesto. And while both sides jockey for ideological dominance, Musk is laughing all the way to the bank. Whether you’re buying a Tesla to celebrate him or buying a sticker to denounce him, you’re still feeding the Musk machine. Now, that’s a genius business model.
