Elon Musk branded Nazi in new anti-Tesla billboard
Another billboard has taken a swipe at Elon Musk.
London has seen the emergence of another billboard taking a swipe at Elon Musk, as part of an intense anti-Tesla campaign that references the tech tycoon's contentious "Nazi salute" incident.
A huge billboard featuring the centibillionaire with an outstretched hand was spotted in Walthamstow, London, last week. The guerrilla campaigners behind it are using the opportunity to mock the polarising entrepreneur.
The billboard warns potential Tesla buyers of a "may be in for a Nazi surprise", highlighting the moment earlier this year when Musk made a straight-handed salute while on stage.
This billboard is just one of many that have cropped up around London lately, reflecting growing dissatisfaction with the 53 year old SpaceX and Tesla head. The @OverthrowMusk campaign has been actively encouraging Londoners to turn their backs on Musk, amidst protests flaring up across the US and Europe.
One poster found in the London Underground bluntly states: "Hate doesn't sell. Just ask Tesla.", reports the Mirror.
It points to the company's significant stock market losses, with shares plummeting over 50 percent since December, equating to an $800 billion (£618 billion) drop in market value.
Another provocative message displayed at a bus stop in London reads: "Tesla: The Swasticar. Autopilot for your car. Autocrat for your country."
Meanwhile, an advert on the London Underground mocks: "Elon's Musk. Parfum de 1939. Pour w***ers".
Elon Musk has not explicitly refuted the claims of performing a Nazi salute on stage, stating instead that the allegations are part of a "dirty tricks campaign" against him.
This morning, demonstrations took place outside a Tesla showroom in London, urging the public to shun the automotive company. A modest contingent was spotted wielding placards with messages like "Honk if you hate Elon" and "Enough fascist nonsense" Organisers appeared to be overlooked by dealership employees as they encouraged a boycott and the shedding of the firm's stocks.
Unsanctioned posters displayed across public transport were swiftly addressed by Transport for London (TfL) and its advertising affiliates. A TfL spokesperson commented: "These posters were not authorised by TfL nor our advertising partners and we have instructed our teams and contractors to remove any that are found on our network."
Musk's standing and financial valuation have plummeted following the inauguration of Donald Trump earlier this year, which saw Musk being appointed to steer the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Under his lead, DOGE has enacted extensive funding cuts to crucial services, prompting widespread demonstrations in the States.
In the United States, there's an emerging trend of individuals targeting Tesla vehicles for vandalism, adorning them with anti-Musk sentiments and, in some instances, staging occupations and inflicting damage on company showrooms. Notably, Mr Trump has controversially stated that boycotting sales is "illegal".
Meanwhile, Attorney General Pam Bondi has labelled such acts of vandalism "domestic terrorism" and is taking a hard line by warning perpetrators could face up to 20 years in prison.
It's not just America where you can find signs of resistance against Mr Musk; even London and other parts of Europe are expressing their displeasure towards the billionaire entrepreneur. French officials have reported incidents such as the arson of a dozen cars at a Toulouse showroom earlier this month, while a showroom in the Netherlands was targeted with graffiti branding Musk a Nazi and bearing profane and hostile words.
Disenchantment with Tesla has spread as far as Australia, where a particularly striking instance involved someone etching "do you really want to drive a swasticar" onto the glass of a Tasmanian dealership.
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