The Controversial Car
The Tesla was initially touted as a high-tech, but also environmentally conscious car that could revolutionize the automobile industry. That being said, due to controversial actions by the company’s CEO, keeping or ditching the car has become a hot-button issue among the elites.
Elon Musk
This one may shock you, but Tesla CEO Elon Musk does, in fact, drive one of their cars. It’s still probably his one positive mark on the world at a moment when he’s widely controversial.
Maurizio Pesce, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Elon Musk
Musk is, of course, responsible for Tesla’s newest model, the Cybertruck. We still have trouble imagining the eyesore taking off, but we could certainly be proven wrong.
Dllu, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Mark Zuckerberg
Elon Musk’s fellow tech oligarch, Mark Zuckerberg, of course, is known to drive a Tesla as well. His vehicle of choice is the Tesla Model S, which isn’t necessarily anybody’s favorite vehicle choice.
Granada, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Mark Zuckerberg
Known for being the guy who wears a hoodie and flip-flops to work, it’s almost surprising that Zuckerberg would drive a Tesla. That being said, the slacker affectation can often be a cover for gluttonous wealth-hoarding.
TechCrunch, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Bill Gates
Bill Gates, one of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs, has had some harsh words about Elon Musk’s recent activities with DOGE. He’s gone so far as to say that its gutting actions will cause millions of deaths worldwide.
Bill Gates
So, you have to wonder if Gates still drives his Tesla Model X. Well, maybe he didn’t sell it or anything, but wants to keep it in the garage.
Jeff Bezos
The Amazon CEO was side-by-side with Elon Musk at President Trump’s recent inauguration, so it’s no surprise he drives a Tesla Roadster. Though, considering how much money he has, it’s probably one of many vehicles he drives.
JoachimKohlerBremen, CC BY-SA 4.0 , Wikimedia Commons
Jeff Bezos
Bezos himself has gained a lot of notoriety for his megayacht, which might be his true form of travel. We do think, though, despite whatever tacky photos have been taken of him lately, he might still have enough taste not to step inside a Cybertruck.
Donald Trump
As we’re typing this, Donald Trump and Elon Musk are currently going through a very public feud. Yet, there was a point where their brands were very aligned, as symbolized by Trump’s endorsement of Tesla.
The Royal Society, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Donald Trump
A viral moment was generated during the presidential campaign last year when influencer Adin Ross gifted Trump with a Cybertruck. Of course, The Donald would probably have someone else drive it for him.
Leonardo DiCaprio
Leonardo DiCaprio has made himself known as one of the most environmentally conscious stars, so it’s not surprising he would endorse an electric car. He’s a known driver of the Tesla Model S.
Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Leonardo DiCaprio
Well, maybe DiCaprio would ditch the Tesla over the Trump association; he’s got no problem being spotted in public hanging out with fellow tech oligarch Jeff Bezos. We think the car is still probably in his garage.
Siebbi, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Ariana Grande
It’s actually surprising in many ways to hear about celebrities owning and driving cars, as evidenced by this list. Don’t you expect them all to have a chauffeur?
Ariana Grande
That being said, clearly hitmaker Ariana Grande still needs to hit up Whole Foods every once in a while, so best to have ready access to a car for that. Her car of choice is the Tesla Model Y.
Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Kim Kardashian
As one of the richest and most high-profile women in the world, it’s not surprising that Kim Kardashian wants all the latest gadgets. She perhaps can overlook her ex-husband’s brief feud with Elon Musk.
Kim Kardashian
Kardashian is known to drive a Tesla Model S with a custom matte black finish. Not surprising that someone so concerned with appearance would want to make some adjustments.
Maurizio Pesce, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Lewis Hamilton
Generally speaking, we trust what a professional driver thinks of cars. After all, their lives revolve around them, so they probably have knowledge we don’t have of the matter.
Morio, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Lewis Hamilton
Racer Lewis Hamilton has given Tesla his endorsement, driving a Tesla Model S. Does he prefer it to the cars he drives regularly for work, though?
LeBron James
Basketball legend LeBron James is known to drive a Tesla Model S. It’s far from the days when sports stars drove Bentleys or Hummers to flash their wealth.
Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
LeBron James
James has been strongly associated with the Democratic Party in recent years, so one wonders if he’d get rid of his Tesla due to Musk’s recent actions. We’re waiting idly by the phone on a public statement of sorts.
Barack Obama
The second president on this list, Barack Obama, is known to drive the Tesla Model X. Despite his current right-wing allegiances, Musk had actually supported Obama’s bid for president in 2008.
Barack Obama
We have to wonder if Obama still drives his Tesla, though, in the wake of recent political developments. It’s possible he just does it under the radar, hoping no paparazzi capture him.
Pete Souza, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Tom Brady
The star quarterback has run into some controversy in recent years over his “is he or isn’t he” association with President Trump. After all, who can forget the incident where he denied being interested in the election, but then the media spotted a MAGA hat in his locker?
Tom Brady
Thus, it’s not terribly surprising that Brady would go full-steam ahead with driving a Tesla. His vehicle of choice is the Tesla Model X.
Don McCullough, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Shah Rukh Khan
This list has been focusing on a lot of stars from the West, so it’s nice to shine a spotlight on someone from elsewhere. This is the case with Shah Rukh Khan, who’s the biggest star Bollywood cinema has.
Siebbi, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Shah Rukh Khan
The Bollywood star is known to drive a Tesla Model X. He’s as big a star as anyone else on this list, so of course, he’d own the same level of hardware.
Mariordo (Mario Roberto Durán Ortiz), Wikimedia Commons
Jay-Z
Bragging about his wealth has always been a big part of the Jay-Z brand, so it’s no surprise he owns a Tesla. His vehicle of choice is the Tesla Model S.
Dllu, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Jay-Z
Being that Jay-Z gets a lot of criticism for being an out of touch rich guy, we can see why he’d maybe like Elon Musk. Certainly, Jay’s friend Kanye West had his own tumultuous relationship with him.
Joella Marano, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Jason Bateman
A number of celebrities have also made sure to publicly note their disapproval of Tesla. One of them is funnyman and director Jason Bateman.
Jason Bateman
Bateman remarked on his podcast that he ditched the vehicle due to Musk’s endorsement of Donald Trump for president. He felt that driving it in public almost felt like signaling support for The Donald.
Bette Midler
Outspoken liberal Bette Midler also felt the urge to publicly disown Tesla due to Musk’s involvement in President Trump’s government. She posted on Instagram about selling her Tesla back in April.
Library of Congress Life, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
Bette Midler
Who knows with Bette Midler, though, the Cybertruck could always win her back to Tesla. It’s at least funny to picture her driving one.
Sheryl Crow
Posting on Instagram, albeit not X, about getting rid of your Tesla became somewhat of a celebrity rite of passage. Such was the case with Sheryl Crow, who posted about selling her Tesla in February at the height of DOGE’s gutting activities.
Sheryl Crow
Crow made sure to donate the proceeds from the sale of her Tesla to NPR, which Musk had set his sights on for defunding. That’s at least a good example of putting your money where your mouth is.
Raph_PH, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Joanne Wilson
Being an Angel investor, Joanne Wilson probably came across Elon Musk in person many times. Despite thinking they’d likely be aligned in capitalist belief, Wilson made sure to publicly note her disapproval of Musk’s DOGE activities.
Joanne Wilson
She also went about badmouthing the aesthetic direction of Tesla, calling the Cybertruck something out of Mad Max. Proof that celebrities are willing to drive that eyesore will be the true test of the Tesla brand.
Zach Sang
Public personalities can always get rid of their Teslas quietly, but many have to note their disapproval so nobody accuses them of supporting the wrong cause. This was the case with podcaster Zach Sang, who noted that he felt guilty driving the vehicle.
Zach Sang talks starting a radio show at 14, passion for music, TODAY
Zach Sang
Sang publicly noted that he was going to sell his Tesla. That being said, if he wanted no accusations, he maybe should’ve filmed himself blowing it up.
Benito Skinner Talks ‘Overcompensating,’ Coming Out, Benny Drama, and Charli XCX, Zach Sang Show
Senator Mark Kelley
Those working in the government, especially in the Democratic Party, probably aren’t too happy about the South African tech oligarch who just decided all of a sudden that he was running the United States. Democratic Senator Mark Kelly clearly wasn’t too happy.
John Klemmer, United States Senate Photographic Studio, Wikimedia Commons
Senator Mark Kelley
In March, the Arizona Senator posted a video where he proclaimed he was taking his last Tesla ride, as he couldn’t endorse the man behind it. Though, with the Trump/Musk feud in action, who knows if Democrats will rev their electric engines again.
Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, Wikimedia Commons
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