This week we’re focusing on Elon Musk’s consumer brands.

Musk & DOGE – Summary:

• We’re fundamentally, morally, and commonsensically gobsmacked by both the substance and style of the actions coming out of Elon Musk’s DOGE. The thinking is broken, the decisions are wrong, the approach is cruel, and the execution would be embarrassing if it wasn’t so tragic for so many people. The gleeful delight of those inflicting such pain on others is reprehensible.
• We’re all for a thorough and thoughtful effort to reduce waste and increase government efficiency – we agree that the government can be bloated and slow and can take way too long to impact lives (how are those EV charging stations coming along??). But this ain’t that. This is intentionally and indiscriminately hurting people to make a point. And it is not a serious effort at budget reduction.

“Believing that you can do something, that together we all can, is the flotation device that can keep you from sinking into the politics of despair, of shock and paralysis.” — Alex Winter, “How the Protests Against Elon Musk Signal a National Turning Point”

Actions You Can Take Now:
If, like us, you want to help ensure that your money or monetizable attention do NOT contribute to further enriching Musk, then we recommend that you:

• Delete X (if you haven’t already). Don’t click on links to X, don’t let your eyeballs or attention be monetized by X in any way.
• Don’t buy a Tesla. Go a step further and join the Tesla Takedown and follow @alexwinter.com for more online actions targeting Tesla/Musk.
• Consider canceling Starlink. This is only a “consider” because for some users Starlink may be the only option for internet access, and our methodology is to focus primarily on consumer brands where alternatives are readily available. If you have other internet options, dump Starlink.

Can it really make a difference? When answering this question, it is important to look at “making a difference” for at least two audiences:

1. For you the consumer. If you want to make sure that you are not spending your money or attention in ways that benefit or further enrich Elon Musk, then YES this will absolutely help you align your spending with your values. Even if nothing else changes, at least you’ll know you took action to ensure you weren’t contributing to someone working so hard against you and your beliefs.
2. For the target company or person. Will it change Musk’s behavior? We’re not naive or delusional enough to think he’ll change. But that doesn’t mean it won’t have an impact. Tesla shares have plunged 35% since mid-December, costing Musk $100 billion; X’s ad revenue was cut in half in 2023 and is projected to decrease by another 20% in 2024. Can’t hurt to pile on and see what kind of additional impact we can have.

What if I never used X or considered buying a Tesla?
Other actions you can take:

• Help us spread the word by forwarding this email to your friends, family, and colleagues; every additional person who begins aligning their spending with their values helps us build the movement to hold companies accountable for their political actions.
• Check out more of our recommended company and brand switches here to help align your spending with your values.
• Send us a note if you have comments, questions, or suggestions for how to further ensure we are not supporting Elon Musk: communications@spendingspotlight.org

Organizations we’re following/supporting
If you don’t already subscribe to Popular Information, we strongly recommend it. Judd Legum (@juddlegum.bsky.social) and his team consistently research the issues, events, companies, and people using “any means available” to shape our politics; they shed light on what others are trying to keep hidden. Their work often serves as the basis for what mainstream outlets later report.

Popular Information