Matthew Labrot, a 35-year-old former Tesla Inc. employee, has reportedly been fired for creating a website critical of the company’s CEO, Elon Musk. Labrot, who was in a management role and trained Tesla sales staff, set up the website titled “Tesla Employees Against Elon” to publicly express his dissatisfaction with Musk’s leadership and political views. The site featured an open letter calling for Musk to be replaced as CEO.
What Led to the Website?
Labrot revealed in an interview that his disillusionment with Musk began after the billionaire’s acquisition of Twitter (now X) and his support for Donald Trump during the 2024 presidential election campaign. The tipping point, however, came when Musk allegedly performed a Nazi salute at a Trump event, which Labrot viewed as a controversial action that would negatively impact Tesla’s reputation. He claimed that Musk’s political views were driving away customers and affecting Tesla’s sales performance.
Labrot also criticized Tesla’s leadership for failing to guide employees through protests and vandalism that the company was facing due to Musk’s political stance. As part of his protest, Labrot spray-painted his personal Cybertruck with anti-Musk messages shortly after launching his website.
Firing Over Alleged Misuse of Company Resources
Tesla responded by firing Labrot for allegedly using company resources to build the website, which was seen as a direct contradiction to the company’s perspective. However, Labrot denied this claim and continued to participate in Tesla-related protests after his termination.
Tesla’s Struggles Amid Leadership Controversy
The controversy surrounding Labrot’s firing comes at a time when Tesla is grappling with significant financial challenges. The company recently reported a 71% year-over-year decline in profits, alongside dwindling sales both in the U.S. and Europe. In addition, Tesla’s Cybertruck inventory has been piling up, with over 10,000 unsold units currently sitting in U.S. inventory. To address these concerns, Musk has indicated he plans to scale back his involvement in Dogecoin (DOGE) commitments to focus more on the company’s recovery.
Despite efforts to expand Tesla’s customer base through affordable models, rebranding, and other marketing strategies, the political polarization surrounding Musk’s public endorsements of right-wing ideals and his ties to Trump appear to be affecting the company’s sales and public perception.
Why It Matters:
This incident raises concerns over employee rights and the tension between corporate control and free expression within companies. Tesla’s financial struggles, paired with Musk’s political influence, have made the company’s future uncertain. As the EV market becomes increasingly competitive, Musk’s political views may continue to impact the company’s relationship with both employees and consumers.
