Tesla’s stock price took a sharp hit this week as tensions between Tesla CEO Elon Musk and former U.S. President Donald Trump erupted into a very public feud.
The clash, which first surfaced on social media and was quickly amplified by global news outlets, has raised investor fears over potential political risks for the electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer.
According to market data, Tesla shares slid by more than 7% in intraday trading, erasing billions from the company’s market capitalization. Analysts say that investors are concerned the fallout could affect Tesla’s standing with U.S. regulatory bodies and the future of federal EV incentives — particularly if Trump regains political power in the upcoming 2024 U.S. presidential election.
What Sparked the Feud?
The dispute began earlier this week when Trump criticized Musk in a public interview, questioning Tesla’s reliance on government subsidies and mocking Musk’s ambitions around artificial intelligence and space exploration.
In response, Elon Musk took to X (formerly Twitter) to hit back at the former president, calling his comments "short-sighted" and “damaging to American innovation.” The heated exchange quickly spread across social media platforms, drawing in supporters and critics from both sides.
Market Impact and Investor Reactions
The stock market response was swift. Tesla’s stock dropped to its lowest level in weeks following the exchange. Several prominent analysts have now downgraded Tesla’s short-term outlook, citing political risk as an emerging factor to monitor.
"Investors don’t like uncertainty, especially when it comes to potential changes in EV policy or incentives," said Sarah Long, Senior Analyst at Equity Markets Research. “If Trump wins the election and takes a hostile stance toward the EV sector, Tesla could face headwinds in the U.S. market.”
What’s Next?
For now, neither Musk nor Trump appears willing to de-escalate the situation. Both figures continue to post pointed remarks online, keeping the controversy in the public eye.
Market watchers will be paying close attention to whether the feud will have any tangible impact on Tesla’s business operations or upcoming policy decisions related to the EV industry.
One thing is clear: this high-profile conflict is one more wild card for investors to consider in an already volatile market landscape.
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