In San Francisco, California, a former Tesla employee is voicing his discontent with CEO Elon Musk’s leadership, sparking conversations about the intersection of corporate culture and political involvement. Matthew LaBrot, who once thrived at the company, now stands in opposition to the very figure he once idolized. After years working at Tesla, including a pivotal role in training employees to sell electric vehicles, LaBrot has taken a bold step: he launched a website to criticize Musk’s governance, coinciding with his own dismissal from the company.
LaBrot joined Tesla in 2019, motivated by the firm’s goal of sustainable energy and the opportunity it provided to further his career. He quickly ascended through the ranks, landing a managerial position in sales and delivery training. Recognized within the company, his enthusiasm for Tesla’s mission enabled him to purchase his first home. Yet, over time, his admiration for Musk began to erode, particularly after the CEO’s controversial political maneuvers became public.
LaBrot’s grievances mounted after Musk acquired Twitter, which he felt marked a departure from Tesla’s core values. His disillusionment deepened as Musk began contributing substantial financial support to political candidates, notably aligning himself with former President Donald Trump. LaBrot described a pivotal moment when he perceived Musk’s behavior as crossing a line, particularly after an incident during Trump’s inauguration that struck him as deeply offensive.
Despite Musk’s assertions that his political activities did not affect Tesla’s performance, LaBrot observed significant changes on the ground. As Tesla’s sales began to decline—particularly among progressive consumers—he noted a shift in the company’s sales strategies, which became increasingly aggressive amid dwindling customer interest. He found that seasoned tactics to address customer concerns became ineffective when the clientele simply stopped showing up.
In early 2025, frustrated with the lack of transparency regarding the impact of Musk’s political stances, LaBrot decided to take action. He established a website to vocalize his concerns, presenting it as a collective voice of disgruntled Tesla employees. The day after its launch, LaBrot rallied outside a Tesla facility, drawing attention with a sign emblazoned with, “Pro Clean Energy Pro Sustainability Pro EV Pro Tesla Anti Elon.” This act was a culmination of pent-up feelings toward the company’s direction under Musk.
However, LaBrot’s protest did not go unnoticed; he was terminated shortly thereafter, cited for using company resources to start a website that allegedly contradicted Tesla’s stance. LaBrot maintains that he did not leverage any company tools in this endeavor. Since his dismissal, he has continued to participate in protests aimed at elevating the voices of workers within the organization.
With growing discontent among employees regarding Musk’s focus on his political agenda, LaBrot’s story sheds light on broader concerns within the electric vehicle sector. Analysts point to multiple factors influencing Tesla’s sales slump, including competition and an aging product line, alongside the alienation of key customer demographics due to Musk’s polarizing commentary.
Despite his departure from Tesla, LaBrot remains committed to the company’s mission. He hopes that his actions will inspire others to speak up about their experiences and lend a voice to those who feel similarly about leadership and corporate accountability. As the electric vehicle landscape evolves, LaBrot’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the personal and professional complexities at play within one of the industry’s most recognizable brands.