Fired by Tesla: The Employee's Rebellion Against Elon Musk's Leadership

Rising Unrest within Tesla

In a bold move that captured national attention, a group of Tesla employees urged Elon Musk to step down amidst a tide of discontent. As reported by a former employee, who spearheaded the anti-Musk initiative through the web platform “Tesla Employees Against Elon Musk,” the reaction from Tesla was swift and decisive.

Declining Sales and External Ramifications

Tesla, known for its innovative technology and electric prowess, faced a tumultuous start to 2025. Following a steady decline in sales — 13% in the first quarter alone — the company began grappling with its internal discord and external pressures. Particularly in Europe, where Tesla saw a distressing downturn, plummeting by nearly 50% in Germany and 59% in France last month, the challenges have been mounting.

Employees Seek a New Chapter

The group, identifying as “Tesla Employees for a New Chapter,” passionately argues that their products and engineering brilliance are overshadowed by a faltering public image linked to Musk himself. The issue, they claim, is not the absence of the new Model Y vehicles but rather a deteriorating demand driven by Musk’s polarizing public persona.

Musk’s Political Forays Add Fuel to Fire

Musk’s political antics have not gone unnoticed by the market. His involvement as an advisor to President Trump and his focus on government spending through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), coupled with significant financial backing of right-wing campaigns, has stirred controversy and consumer resentment, particularly among Tesla’s environmentally conscious base. According to Gizmodo, these political entanglements have been an aggravating factor in Tesla’s sales woes.

The Employee Manifesto and Musk’s Response

Responding to the growing unrest, Musk announced a pause on his political activities to channel more energy into Tesla. However, the employees expressed their distrust and dissatisfaction, labeling his decision as “tone-deaf” and urging for genuine leadership change.

The Aftermath and Legacy

For LaBrot, the creator of the protest site, the fallout from challenging a high-profile CEO was personal and severe — termination after over five years of dedicating his skills to Tesla. Meanwhile, the reverberations of this internal clash reflect broader concerns: how will Tesla maneuver through a landscape where employees openly defy its figurehead?

As this story unfolds, it underscores a pivotal moment in corporate leadership accountability, with ramifications likely influencing both Tesla’s legacy and the broader market’s perception of its enigmatic CEO.