Opinion | Deja vu for Hong Kong as Tesla becomes lightning rod for public anger

Unresolved issues like poor governance, economic troubles and corporate power can lead to public frustration, resulting in violence and destruction

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People protest against Elon Musk and Tesla outside a Tesla showroom in Boston, US, on March 15. Photo: FP/Getty Images/Tribune News Service

Published: 9:30am, 2 May 2025

From Australia to Europe and the United States, Tesla has become a focal point of protests, with demonstrators accusing the company and its CEO, Elon Musk, of embodying divisive political and economic decisions.

The recent wave of vandalism targeting Tesla vehicles, showrooms and charging stations underscores a broader trend in which iconic businesses and institutions become lightning rods for public frustration and societal grievances.

This phenomenon is not unique. Hong Kong also faced protests and symbolic acts of destruction during the social unrest that ignited in 2019. In both cases, businesses or institutions seen as representing authority, systemic inequality or controversial political stances became targets of violent dissent.

In recent years, Tesla has become a symbol of wealth, corporate power and political influence, with Musk’s high profile and often polarising persona amplifying its visibility. His role in reshaping federal policies and overseeing mass lay-offs of government workers has positioned him as a divisive figure and, by extension, Tesla as a controversial entity.

Consequently, the company became a focal point for public anger and criticism regarding deeper systemic problems linked to economic inequality, corporate overreach and the consequences of disruptive leadership.

The targeting of Tesla facilities shows how unresolved issues like poor governance, economic troubles and corporate power can lead to public frustration, resulting in violence and destruction.

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