--- title: "Tesla Drivers Sue Elon Musk for Turning Their Cars Into “Extreme” Right-Wing Symbols" description: "Tesla drivers in France are suing Elon Musk's EV maker for turning their vehicles into what they characterize as \"extreme-right\" symbols." date: "2025-06-12" modified: "2025-06-12" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/tesla-drivers-sue-elon-musk-right-symbols" categories: - "Advanced Transport" - "Elon Musk" - "Future Society" - "Tesla" - "The Industrialists" tags: - "elon musk" - "evs" - "france" - "tesla" - "the digest" --- # Tesla Drivers Sue Elon Musk for Turning Their Cars Into “Extreme” Right-Wing Symbols ![Tesla drivers in France are suing Elon Musk's EV maker for turning their vehicles into what they characterize as "extreme-right" symbols.]() *\Image: Getty / Futurism\* ## The Implications Tesla drivers in France are suing Elon Musk's EV maker for turning their vehicles into what they characterize as "extreme-right" symbols. As news agency [*France 24* reports](), the owners are demanding that their lease contracts be terminated and reimbursed for the accrued legal costs. "Because of Elon Musk's actions... Tesla branded vehicles have become strong political symbols and now appear to be veritable extreme-right 'totems,'" said GKA, the law firm representing the owners, in a statement, "to the dismay of those who acquired them with the sole aim of possessing an innovative and ecological vehicle." As a result, they are being prevented from "fully enjoying their car," the firm added. The suit highlights how damaging Musk's well-documented embrace of far-right ideologies has been. The mercurial CEO [made two Nazi salutes]() during an election event earlier this year, and has appeared via video link at [German]() and [Italian]() far right political rallies — actions that have thrown the carmaker into chaos and car buyers running the other way. ## No Longer Fun Musk's political realignment has proven immensely unpopular among consumers, causing sales of his carmaker to [crater worldwide]() and leaving a [massive dent]() in Tesla's finances. New Tesla registrations in Europe [dropped by a stunning 53 percent]() last month, indicating continued and widespread disillusionment and disgust with Musk's actions. Meanwhile, frustrated owners have [desperately been looking for ways]() to ditch their Teslas in light of a [massive protest movement]() aimed at Musk's carmaker. Worse yet, resale values of the EVs have [tanked]() as well, leaving owners between a rock and a hard place. Some embarrassed drivers have resorted to [slapping stickers]() that read "I bought this before Elon went crazy" on their bumpers. The French clients who are now suing Elon Musk's carmaker argue Tesla owes them financially for all the drama and embarrassment. "The situation is both unexpected and impossible for French Tesla owners," lawyer Patrick Klugman, who's representing them, told *France 24*. "Musk's political positions have interrupted enjoyment" of their cars, he added, and "we believe that Mr Musk owes these buyers the peaceful possession of the thing sold." **More on Tesla:** *[You Are Completely Unprepared for What Tesla's Robotaxi Actually Looks Like]()* ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()