The backlash against the electric vehicle company has intensified as the billionaire ally of President Trump exerts his power over the federal government.

Elon Musk has long been the linchpin of Tesla's appeal, commanding unbelievable hype that has elevated the automaker to a stellar stock position while giving it cultural staying power. But the marriage is getting ugly.

Musk has repeatedly stated that Tesla’s long-term value lies in autonomous driving and robotics, but its investors don't seem so sure. With sales declining and investor confidence wavering, the immediate question remains: does Musk still care about selling cars, or has he already moved on?

Elon Musk's right-wing political involvement is potentially alienating Tesla's customer base, leading to a significant drop in sales, especially in Europe. While other factors may contribute to Tesla's slump,

Musk has attacked leaders of California, a state that played a pivotal role in the carmaker surviving its tumultuous early years and becoming one of the world’s most valuable companies..

If Tesla owner Dann Kingsley were in the market for a new electric vehicle (EV) today, he says he would strongly consider other brands first.

The company was already losing market share to European and Chinese automakers as they catch up in quality to Tesla's electric vehicles.