Let’s roll the clock back to 2017. At the time, I was driving a 2015 Mazda 3 that, quite frankly, was struggling. More than once, it left me stranded in the middle of an intersection. Have you ever felt that sheer panic when something won’t work and everyone is counting on you to make it work? Yeah, I had that experience—with my car.
I started following Elon Musk and Tesla early on, long before I even thought about buying an EV. In 2017, I was 27 years old, trying to figure out my financial future. I wasn’t raised with a financial education, but I knew I wanted financial security. And let’s be clear—I am NOT normal. I scoff at traditions, laugh at the corporate ladder, and have never followed a conventional path. For better or worse, I’ve always been focused on building a life that isn’t dependent on the standard 9-to-5 grind.
So why Tesla? Well, I identified Tesla as a major disruptor in 2015. I also spotted NVIDIA and AMD as game-changers, but that’s a story for another time. As a self-proclaimed sustainability advocate, I knew my next car had to be an EV. And frankly, the best EVs were Teslas. I also believed in the vision of a future where cars would drive us wherever we wanted to go. That vision wasn’t just exciting—it was personal. My sibling has a rare genetic disorder that is causing her to lose her vision. The idea of autonomous driving meant something deeper to me: independence. A future where she could still go wherever she wanted, thanks to self-driving technology, was something I could get behind. I believed in that. I still believe in that—despite Elon Musk’s daily controversies.
The Tesla Vision vs. The Elon Reality
Let me be clear: I am more confident than ever that Tesla will lead the autonomous automotive future. I’ve followed the evolution of their self-driving technology since 2018. I’ve seen the step changes, the flaws, and the progress. Tesla attracts some of the brightest minds in the world, and I have no doubt they’ll solve the remaining challenges.
But here’s where the introspection comes in.
- Do I agree with Elon Musk’s political moves? No.
- Do I think his political actions are helping the company? Also no.
- Do I think his alignment with Donald Trump is a good thing? Hell no.
In fact, I think it’s awful. I can’t help but wonder if Elon, who has publicly spoken about his difficult relationship with his father, is seeking some form of approval from Trump. It’s speculation, but it’s hard to make sense of his recent behavior otherwise.
Honestly, I think Elon started becoming detached from reality when he bought Twitter. It feels like he’s justifying his decisions despite being in a hole of his own making. One thing I’ve noticed? I’ve never seen Elon Musk admit he was wrong. Not once. His ego is massive yet fragile, and that’s a dangerous combination.
Tesla Is Bigger Than Elon Musk
I’ve been a Tesla shareholder for over seven years. I’ve watched the public scrutiny, the backlash, and the erratic tweets. And yet, I still support Tesla—not because of Elon, but despite him.
Here’s why:
- Tesla employs over 120,000 people worldwide. Elon Musk is just one of them. The hardworking engineers, designers, and factory workers who bring innovation to life every day are the real backbone of Tesla.
- Tesla’s mission is to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy. That’s bigger than any one person. Do you agree with that mission? Because I still do.
- Tesla has pushed the entire automotive industry forward. Before Tesla, EVs were a niche product. Now, they’re the future. And Tesla has shared its charging network and battery patents with other automakers to help drive that future forward. That kind of collaboration is unheard of in the corporate world.
- Tesla might be the U.S.’s last hope for automotive innovation. China is producing EVs at scale for less than the cost of gas-powered cars. If our domestic automakers can’t compete, the U.S. auto industry is in trouble. Tesla is leading the charge, and whether you like Elon or not, that matters.
Separate the Brand From the Man
It’s easy to conflate Tesla with Elon Musk. He’s the loudest voice in the room. But Tesla is much bigger than him. It’s a company with a mission that could change the world—one that has already changed the auto industry, energy storage, and even space exploration.
So yes, I drive a Tesla. Yes, I’m frustrated with Elon Musk’s antics. But do I still believe in Tesla? Absolutely. Because at the end of the day, Tesla’s mission is more important than one man’s ego.
And if we let Elon Musk’s personal controversies overshadow Tesla’s impact, we’re missing the bigger picture.