Tesla Employee Fired for Anti-Musk Website: A Growing Rift Between CEO and Workers

Elon Musk, a figure synonymous with technological innovation and the disruptive force behind companies like Tesla, SpaceX, and Neuralink, has often been hailed as a visionary. However, his controversial actions and outspoken political stances have led to significant tension within his companies, particularly Tesla.

One of the most recent and significant developments in this ongoing saga involves Matthew LaBrot, a former Tesla employee, who was fired after publicly criticizing Musk and the company’s political involvement. LaBrot, once a fervent supporter of Musk and Tesla, found himself at odds with the very leader he had once admired, and his story reveals deeper issues at play within Tesla and the broader relationship between workers and the leadership.

Matthew LaBrot, a 35-year-old American, had previously called his work at Tesla a “dream job.” He was a passionate supporter of the company’s mission to promote sustainable energy and electric vehicles. As a dedicated employee, LaBrot helped train Tesla’s sales team across North America and even appeared in promotional videos supporting the company.

Living in a home powered by Tesla’s solar energy and driving a Cybertruck, LaBrot was the embodiment of a Tesla enthusiast. His unwavering faith in the company was emblematic of many employees who admired Musk’s vision of a future powered by renewable energy. However, everything changed when LaBrot became disillusioned with Musk’s political actions and rhetoric, leading to a dramatic shift in his perspective on the company.

LaBrot’s frustrations began to mount in 2022 when Musk made headlines for his acquisition of Twitter (later rebranded as X). As Musk took control of the platform, his controversial decisions and frequent public comments started to unsettle many of his supporters, including LaBrot. Musk’s outspoken political stances, particularly his financial support for Donald Trump’s campaign and his public endorsement of Trump’s policies, left LaBrot feeling uncomfortable and disillusioned with the CEO.

Musk’s actions, especially his behavior during Trump’s inauguration in January 2022, were seen by LaBrot as crossing a line that he could no longer ignore. Musk’s public support for Trump and his divisive political actions, which many viewed as a step towards authoritarianism, prompted LaBrot to take action.

In April 2024, LaBrot made the bold decision to create a website criticizing Musk and calling for the company to find a new CEO. Under a pseudonym, LaBrot published an open letter that expressed his concerns about Musk’s political influence on the company and the negative impact it was having on Tesla’s mission.

The letter was not only a personal expression of frustration but also a call to action for other employees who shared his concerns. While LaBrot was the only person behind the website, some of his colleagues privately shared similar opinions but were too afraid to speak out publicly. The creation of the website was an act of defiance, one that LaBrot knew could cost him his job, but it was a risk he was willing to take in order to make his voice heard.

The very next day, LaBrot took part in a protest in California, where he drove his Tesla Cybertruck to the "Tesla Takedown" rally. In a striking move, LaBrot adorned his truck with a slogan that read, “Support Clean Energy – Support Electric Vehicles – Support Tesla – Oppose Elon,” alongside a link to his website. This public act of protest was meant to draw attention to the issues he felt were being overlooked by the company’s leadership.

Less than 24 hours later, LaBrot received the news that he had been fired from his position at Tesla. The company’s explanation for the termination was that LaBrot had used company resources to create content that did not align with the company’s views, effectively marking the end of his tenure at the company.

The news of LaBrot’s firing sent shockwaves through the Tesla community, especially given his long history with the company. His departure highlighted a growing rift between Musk and his employees, many of whom feel increasingly alienated by the CEO’s political views and the direction he is taking the company. Despite Musk’s insistence that his political activities would not affect Tesla’s operations, the reality is that LaBrot’s firing is not an isolated incident.

It reflects a broader trend of employees feeling disenfranchised and powerless in the face of Musk’s personal and political actions. LaBrot, who had once considered working at Tesla as a dream job, now finds himself at odds with the very company he helped build. His firing is just one example of the broader challenges Tesla faces as it navigates the intersection of business, politics, and employee relations.

LaBrot’s story is not just about one man’s falling out with his employer; it is also a reflection of the growing discontent among Tesla employees regarding Musk’s leadership. For many workers, the political rhetoric coming from the CEO has become impossible to ignore, especially when it affects the company’s culture and mission.

Tesla’s commitment to sustainability and clean energy has always been a core value, but under Musk’s leadership, many employees feel that the company is becoming increasingly entangled in political debates that detract from its original purpose. Musk’s behavior on social media, particularly his use of Twitter, has created an environment where employees are afraid to speak out, knowing that their jobs could be at risk.

The case of LaBrot illustrates the difficult position employees find themselves in, caught between their loyalty to the company and their opposition to the CEO’s actions. As Tesla faces declining sales figures and growing competition in the electric vehicle market, Musk’s political involvement is having a more tangible impact on the company’s bottom line.

In the fourth quarter of 2024, Tesla saw a notable drop in sales, particularly among left-leaning consumers who had previously been attracted to the company for its environmentally friendly image. The decline in sales was most pronounced in California, Tesla’s key market, where registrations of Tesla vehicles fell by more than 15%.

This shift in consumer behavior has forced Tesla to implement aggressive sales tactics, offering discounts and promotions in an attempt to boost demand. The company’s sales teams are under increasing pressure to close deals, and the company is now actively trying to attract a broader customer base.

The growing divide within the company is also reflected in the lack of internal discussions about the impact of Musk’s political stances on Tesla’s performance. While employees like LaBrot have voiced their concerns, there has been little acknowledgment from Tesla’s leadership about the potential link between Musk’s actions and the company’s declining sales.

This lack of transparency and open dialogue within Tesla has raised questions about the company’s ability to address internal concerns and maintain employee morale in the face of mounting external challenges. In conclusion, Matthew LaBrot’s firing from Tesla serves as a stark reminder of the tensions within the company as it grapples with Elon Musk’s controversial leadership.

While Musk continues to lead the charge in pushing the boundaries of technology, his political involvement and the impact it has on Tesla’s operations are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. LaBrot’s story is a reflection of the broader issues Tesla faces as it navigates the intersection of innovation, politics, and employee relations.

As Musk continues to push forward with his vision, the question remains whether Tesla can maintain its position as a leader in the electric vehicle market while managing the growing unrest within its workforce.