N.L. Tesla owners say their choice of car doesn't reflect their politics
Anger at Elon Musk has led to backlash against Tesla
A St. John's Tesla owner says she feels caught up in the backlash against the Elon Musk-owned vehicle manufacturer, even though her choice of car doesn't reflect her politics.
Lisa Woolgar bought her Tesla about three years ago, and she said her experience has been a smooth one — until about a month ago, when another driver stuck up their middle finger at her while driving on the highway.
"I remember saying to my passenger, 'am I driving like an idiot or is this just not right?'" Woolgar told CBC Radio's The St. John's Morning Show.
Woolgar said it wasn't a one-off incident, either.
"I'm getting lots of hard stares and fingers out the window, like, aggressively. Other people ... making me feel like I'm doing something wrong. It took me a hot minute to figure it out," she said.
Woolgar believes the incidents aren't regular road rage or a reflection of her driving — she believes they stem from anger toward Elon Musk and U.S. President Donald Trump
Woolgar said the car she drives doesn't reflect her political beliefs.
"These things don't even make sense. It's not sensible. Obviously, I didn't buy the car to make a political statement," she said.
Tesla protests spread
Musk has become a fixture of the Trump administration, leading the charge to slash the U.S. federal workforce through his Department of Government Efficiency.
The mass firings have sown chaos across the U.S. government. Some dismissals in areas like nuclear safety and defence have since been reversed. Musk's team has also attempted to access federal databases, raising concerns over data privacy for both workers and U.S. citizens.
Musk's role in the Trump administration has been bad news for Tesla, which has seen a slump in sales and on the stock market this year.
Demonstrators have organized "Tesla Takedown" protests across North America and Europe, in response to Musk's actions.
Last week, 80 Tesla vehicles were vandalized at a dealership in Hamilton.
Justin Whelan, another St. John's Tesla driver, said he hasn't experienced any backlash over his vehicle so far. Whelan said he supports the right to protest, but after hearing stories about smashed windows and slashed tires, he's worried about what could happen.
"It's a crime. You know, you can't go as far as that," he said.
Whelan said he bought his Tesla three years ago, and his choice was based on his lengthy commute and the price of gas.
"I didn't really look at, you know, who owns the company with their political stance and things like that. For me, it made sense to buy the car for myself," he said.
Some Tesla owners are getting rid of their cars, or getting bumper stickers telling other drivers that their choice of car doesn't necessarily reflect their political beliefs.
Woolgar said she's getting a bumper sticker asking other drivers to "be nice."
And despite the controversy, Woolgar said she isn't considering getting rid of her Tesla — and doesn't regret her decision to buy one.
"I regret the political situation, maybe, that's happening in North America, but I don't regret buying my Tesla."
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