Ex-Tesla Fans Abandon the 'Cult' Amid Musk Controversies

Tesla's once-formidable online fanbase is showing signs of erosion as some of the electric vehicle maker's most vocal supporters abandon the so-called 'cult' amid controversies surrounding CEO Elon Musk and the company's Full Self-Driving technology.

For years, Tesla has enjoyed the backing of a passionate community of owners, investors, and enthusiasts who actively evangelize the brand on social media and online forums. But that loyalty appears to be waning as Musk's political rhetoric and Tesla's perceived over-promising on autonomous driving capabilities have alienated some longtime supporters.

One prominent example is Rani Molla, a former Tesla loyalist who recently wrote in Recode about her decision to switch to a Ford Mustang Mach-E after growing disillusioned with Musk's behavior and Tesla's unfulfilled promises. Molla cited Musk's right-wing political shift and the company's history of missing self-driving deadlines as key factors in her decision.