Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly (D) has made a bold statement against Tesla and its CEO, Elon Musk, as he announced he is getting rid of his Tesla vehicle. In a video posted on X, Kelly expressed his frustration with Musk’s leadership and recent political moves, saying he no longer wants to drive a car “built and designed by an a--hole.”
The Democratic senator, a former astronaut and veteran, made it clear that his decision was driven by political concerns rather than the car itself. “When I bought this thing, I didn’t think it was going to become a political issue,” he said in the video.
However, he explained that every time he got into his Tesla in the last two months, he was reminded of what he sees as Musk and former President Donald Trump’s harmful actions.
Kelly’s decision to part ways with his Tesla comes amid increasing tensions between Musk and Democratic lawmakers. Since being appointed as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under Trump’s administration, Musk has pushed for drastic federal spending cuts, which have included proposals to slash Social Security and health care benefits.
“Every time I get in this car in the last 60 days or so, it reminds me of just how much Elon Musk and Donald Trump are doing to our country,” Kelly said. “Talking about slashing Social Security, cutting health care benefits for poor people, for seniors. It’s one bad thing after the next.”
Kelly also took issue with Musk’s recent job cuts, which have impacted many federal employees, including veterans. “I’m a veteran. So I have a really hard time driving around in this thing,” he added. His frustration with Musk’s political role pushed him to ditch his Tesla for a new ride.
While Kelly admitted that there were aspects of the car he liked, he insisted that his personal stance against Musk outweighed any of those benefits. “That doesn’t matter. Elon Musk kind of turned out to be an a--hole, and I don’t want to be driving a car built and designed by an a--hole. So, looking forward to my new ride.”
Kelly’s announcement follows an online feud with Musk, who recently called the senator a “traitor” after his visit to Ukraine. Kelly traveled to the war-torn country to assess the impact of Trump’s decision to halt military aid and intelligence-sharing with Ukraine amid its ongoing war with Russia.
Musk’s accusation sparked a strong reaction from Kelly, who fired back during an appearance on MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow Show. “The only oath I can think of that maybe Elon has sworn is an oath to his own checking account, to his pocketbook,” he said.
Musk’s role as a key government official has raised concerns among Democrats, particularly as Tesla’s influence in the market continues to decline. His tenure at DOGE has been marked by controversial cost-cutting measures, including massive layoffs and departmental restructures.
Tesla has been struggling in recent months, with its stock price falling sharply since the beginning of the year. The backlash against Musk’s leadership, combined with his close ties to Trump’s administration, has led to a significant decline in investor confidence.
Since January, Tesla’s stock has dropped by 34%, reflecting broader concerns about Musk’s ability to manage his various business ventures while simultaneously serving in a government role. The decline comes as other electric vehicle manufacturers gain traction in the market, while Musk’s political affiliations have alienated key consumer demographics.
Musk acknowledged these challenges in a recent interview with Fox Business’s Larry Kudlow. He admitted that he is facing “great difficulty” juggling his corporate responsibilities with his role at DOGE.
However, he defended his approach, claiming, “We’re making good progress, actually.” He insisted that his focus remains on making government more “efficient” through budget cuts and structural reforms.
Kelly’s decision to publicly distance himself from Tesla underscores a growing divide between Musk and Democratic lawmakers. While Tesla was once widely embraced by environmentally conscious politicians as a leader in the clean energy transition, Musk’s political alignment with Trump has led to a sharp shift in perception.
His leadership at DOGE, coupled with his outspoken criticism of Democratic policies, has fueled further division. Musk has previously clashed with the Biden administration over labor policies, tax incentives for electric vehicles, and regulations affecting the tech and auto industries.
For Kelly, the issue has become personal. As a veteran and advocate for social programs, he has been vocal about protecting federal benefits for seniors and lower-income individuals—issues that are now at the center of policy debates under Trump’s administration.
His decision to ditch his Tesla serves as a symbolic rejection of Musk’s policies and leadership.
While Kelly has yet to reveal what car he will replace his Tesla with, his message is clear: he no longer wants to be associated with a brand led by someone whose values and policies he fundamentally opposes. His video, which quickly gained traction online, has sparked conversations about the intersection of politics and consumer choices.
As Tesla’s stock continues to struggle and Musk faces increasing scrutiny over his role in Trump’s administration, the fallout from these political clashes is far from over. For now, Kelly is making his stance known—by getting rid of his Tesla and looking for a new ride that better aligns with his beliefs.
