This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s spring editorial intern Ian Ferdock. Find him on Instagram at @ianferdock. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.
A man once known as an eccentric billionaire genius determined to combat the climate crisis has quickly evolved into a far-right figurehead. Elon Musk has always been a controversial figure, but after purchasing X in 2022, and inserting himself into the 2024 election, outside of far-right and conservative groups, his public image has faltered. As he has gutted federal programs as the leader of DOGE, his popularity continues to tank. A growing symbol associated with Musk and his recent failures has become his beloved Cybertruck. Those of us with eyes have maintained that the Cybertruck sucks, but more Americans, have begun to associate Musk and his companies with his far-right ideologies and have been boycotting his products while ridiculing his supporters. The public backlash, fueled by consumer activism and social media, is actively damaging Musk’s empire, providing proof that collective action against corporate and political figures still holds power.
Past Perception
It wasn’t that long ago that Musk enjoyed popularity and admiration from a wide audience. He successfully created the image of an eccentric genius and modeled himself as a real-life Tony Stark. Not only was he able to project a “cool nerd” façade, but he also got a strong following from more liberal-leaning Americans because of his commitment to combating the climate crisis. In many circles, Musk made electric vehicles likable. Even though I never personally bought in, I can understand why many Americans were transfixed by Musk. He was the cool billionaire who understood everyday people. At least he claimed to be. However, over the last two years that has all begun to change.
A History of Growing Failures
X
In October 2022, Musk acquired Twitter for $44 billion and shortly thereafter renamed the platform X. Since then, estimates suggest that X has lost upwards of 80% of its value from when it was originally purchased and rebranded. Much of this decline in valuation is linked to advertisers distancing themselves from Musk. Over the past year, he has promoted anti-Semitic, white supremacist, and other far-right ideologies, further isolating X. His efforts have supposedly been in the name of free speech, but many observers question his motivations. Not only has X dramatically lost most of its value, but it has transformed into a home for far-right conspiracy theories and the promotion of online hate.
Starlink and Space X
Starlink is another Musk-controlled enterprise that has taken recent hits between the ongoing trade war with Canada and the new strategy of strong-arming Ukraine into a peace deal with Russia. Ontario recently canceled a contract to provide rural residents with internet access through the Starlink network. As Musk and Trump vie for “peace” in Ukraine and aim to have greater control of the Eastern European nation’s natural resources, Starlink has become embroiled in the controversy. Musk’s satellites have played a vital role on the Ukrainian battlefield as traditional communication infrastructure has been destroyed. However, in the face of growing instability between the United States and Ukraine, Starlink’s main global competitor Eutelsat offers an opportunity for Europe to pivot away from Musk.
Space X has also shown signs of recent trouble. Two recent test launches resulted in failures as the rockets ultimately exploded shortly after launch. The most recent of which caused significant disruption in the surrounding airspace and impacted several commercial flights. Curiously, aggressive efforts by DOGE to cancel federal contracts somehow have not affected Space X.
DOGE
DOGE, or the Department of Government Efficiency, has been the biggest source of the negative connotations surrounding Musk. As he has taken a proverbial chainsaw to government spending, many Americans, especially those who rely on federal programs and federal employees, are reaching a boiling point. Notably, many of Musk and DOGE’s policies have contravened or directly violated constitutional law and the separation of powers. But even that may be slowing down in the near future. Congressional Republicans are beginning to push back on DOGE as they signal that further cuts will require congressional approval. Trump himself has directed department secretaries to be the ultimate decision-makers regarding the fate of their staff.
Tesla
Outside of the avid petrolhead community who despises EVs, Tesla has enjoyed a relatively positive image over the years. Stocks have climbed dramatically since they first hit the market, leading to happy investors. The manufacturer’s customer base has also grown significantly. There have always been videos circulating on the internet observing poor build quality, but it never seemed to make a big impact. Until now.
The Cybertruck
After years of broken promises and extended timelines, the Tesla Cybertruck finally was seen roaming the wild. Even though it was hailed by Musk fanboys, most of us who came in contact with this monstrosity were appalled by its horrid figure. Its ugly nature made it instantly meme-worthy. The internet-wide sentiment firmly landed at the conclusion that Cybertrucks suck. However, it wasn’t just public opinion that proved that point.
Elon Musk somehow managed to create a vehicle with a higher fatality rate than the infamous Ford Pinto. If you don’t remember, the Pinto was renowned for its exploding gas tank. While data collection has been difficult because of Tesla’s refusal to provide a confirmed number of units sold, the preliminary analysis does paint a troubling picture. Furthermore, many TikToks and YouTube videos have come out over the past year highlighting the Cybertruck’s flaws. They’ve demonstrated that despite Musk claiming the Cybertruck is the toughest and most capable truck ever made, when compared to traditional trucks like a Ford F-150, it’s genuinely crap.
Consumer and Public Backlash is Working
Between poor vehicle quality and the negative perception mounting against Musk, Tesla has suffered major financial setbacks. Tesla shares have plummeted since their peak in December, losing half their value. This is the company’s worst drop in valuation in the last five years. Granted, the overall market has declined in the wake of recession fears and blowback from tariffs. However, for a long time, Tesla has been a strong market competitor. It’s undeniable that the EV manufacturer is facing serious challenges now. Shares have dropped each week Musk has been a centerpiece of the Trump administration. Compounding Musk’s list of growing troubles, as global EV sales have increased 21% over the last year, Tesla sales have plummeted 50% in Europe alone.
At this current rate, Musk’s tech empire is genuinely in peril. The leader of DOGE isn’t just facing opposition from federal courts, he’s also facing the court of public opinion. As his image reaches the brink, Musk must consider the public perception of his companies if he wants to continue to enjoy the level of growth they’ve experienced in the past.
And the best part is, much of the public opposition began with memes about how much the Cybertruck sucks. But it isn’t just about the Cybertrucks, they are a symptom of a larger movement. Social media has become a powerful tool ingrained in our daily lives. Sometimes the result is better than others, but the conversation surrounding Musk, his businesses, and his government interference represents social media as a tool of protest. Memes have genuinely been able to influence consumer opinions and lead to negative financial consequences. This popular new trend demonstrates that even when Americans are feeling marginalized and forgotten by their government, protests of any form are still impactful.
Social Media and Consumerism As A Form Of Protest
Social media and consumerism have become powerful tools of protest. They enable individuals to challenge corporations and political figures in ways that were once far less accessible. Online activism that relies on viral memes, coordinated boycotts, and mass criticism can have substantive financial consequences. The situation with Musk is a prime example of when cancel culture is the right approach.
Social media allows people to mobilize, spreading awareness and shaping public opinion rapidly. These platforms amplify marginalized voices, turning them into widespread movements. The viral nature of online content means that even small acts of protest, like sharing a post or mocking a product, can morph into serious repercussions. The backlash against Elon Musk and Tesla is evidence of this phenomenon. Tesla’s declining sales and stock prices may be partially tied to general market trends. However, as Musk has aligned himself closely with far-right ideologies, his companies have become symbols of political division. Memes mocking the Cybertruck and highlighting Tesla’s admissible quality, as well as his political associations, lead to a measurable drop in sales.
Beyond social media, consumer activism utilizes economic pressure to demand change. Refusing to support a company by canceling subscriptions or shifting to competitors can force business leaders to respond. Brands know that public perception is everything, which is why consumer-driven backlash can lead to policy reversals and corporate reform.
Ultimately, social media-driven consumer activism proves that people still have power, even when they feel like they don’t. Money talks, and when enough people collectively withhold their financial support, even the most influential figures are forced to listen.
Will Elon’s Empire Crumble?
Honestly, I’m skeptical. At the rate opposition is mounting against him, it is certainly possible that there could be longer-term consequences. I would love that to be the case. That said, let’s be transparent about the fact that social media cycles through controversies at lightning speed. A month from now we may not even be talking about Musk. Plus, he comes off as so narcissistic that I doubt he can realize that his actions are genuinely harming his brand. And even if he does understand, that doesn’t mean he cares or that it will influence him to change.
The biggest take away though is that memes about how much Cybertrucks suck have made a real difference. Social media and the decisions we make as consumers can take the narrative away from government and business leaders, which quite frankly, I find rather impressive. Over the next four years, that will be our biggest asset. We the people of the internet, have inflicted real financial pain on a person who quite frankly deserves it. If that’s not something for Zillennials to be proud of, then I don’t know what is.
Let us know in the comments if you think the Cybertruck sucks too!
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