False Accusations
People have been hating on Elon Musk for many years. False claims, deceitful behaviour and irresponsible management practices are some of the elements that contribute to people’s animosity towards him. Despite the bad press, however, Elon has managed to survive in a competitive business landscape, maintaining an impressive power ranking in the list of most influential entrepreneurs. So why are people still so strongly opposed to him?
One of the main issues is the relentless criticism Elon receives. The media doesn’t always tell the full story, and this has led to misinformed disdain. His outspokenness on certain topics and decisions he makes can be seen as controversial and, in some cases, as people unable to stay neutral. This has been especially true for environmental issues, where he has taken an extreme stance for dramatic effect.
The false accusations against Elon are often more damaging than the truth. For example, one of the allegations is that he has caused job loss in the industry he works in. In reality, however, the opposite has been true: according to a report released by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, his businesses have created or preserved nearly 200,000 jobs between 2007 and 2018 alone.
Biased Judgement
Another factor that could explain why people are so viciously opposed to Elon is the tendency to judge based on prejudices and subjective criteria. Truth be told, even if nothing else is agreed upon, one has to admit his achievements and impact in society. He has democratized and revolutionized the industries he has touched. To give an example, when he built Tesla, he was the only one daring to create a fully electric car. By taking that risk, he sparked a trend in the industry, pushing other automakers to move in the same direction.
It is always worth mentioning that Elon’s mind and grand visions of the future have made him a target for critics. His engineering-perfectionist approach, for instance, has been attacked by some, arguing that it is simply a masking technique to avoid taking responsibility. However, this objectively overlooks the entire management model and ignores the fact that Elon has consistently cleared up doubts and questions.
Deep-Rooted Mistrust
Undoubtedly, a gap between people’s perception of Elon Musk and his actual reality remains. The distrust caused by an established animosity is a significant factor in this divergence. Unfortunately, some people are simply unable to sever ties to their prejudice rigidity and offer an alternate viewpoint. Onlookers jump onto every opportunity to critique Elon, disregarding facts and developing preconceived conclusions instead. When discussing him, it is seldom to give a fair and balanced approach.
His Twitter profile hasn’t helped his case with the public. It can be argued that, more often than not, the messages he posts on the platform lead to mischievous reactions. Some of his statements are aggressive, unproductive and inappropriate, furthermore bordering on what is legally accepted. Consequently, it has become extremely difficult for Elon to erase the negative lens he is seen through, as well as regaining credibility he has been deprived of.
Unfair Treatment
Disrespect and disregard of Elon Musk sadly extend beyond the realms of the media. Severe legal doubt and expensive litigation proceedings have been faced by Elon on multiple occasions, indicating a sentiment of people wanting him to fail even when he succeeds. He has had to prove his worth in courts and defends himself against numerous lawsuits filled with deceitful claims. It is appalling that such behavior is tolerated; he is a public figure with a large following and when malicious claims are made, it carries.
On a smaller scale, Elon has also been treated differently in terms of his own business dealings. There have been instances when deals have been canceled last minute without any explanation or apparent reason. Moreover, outside parties have taken advantage of his
Outrageous Expenses
status and power, using him as a form of currency. This is particularly outrageous, especially as there are separate layers of expenses coming solely from the projects he has created.
In the case of Tesla, for example, the developing high-technology process that lies behind production lines along electrification has caused significant annual losses. This was met with doubt and discontent from investors, who are often unwilling to commit or invest in something they don’t understand. Nevertheless, compared to the automotive industry’s average expenses, Tesla’s costs have been much lower.
Apart from expenses due to technological development, excessive marketing campaigns launched by Elon have also raised eyebrows. For example, his promotional approaches for Tesla involved spending on rather strange communications campaigns, with stunts that went beyond the usual. Although its usual marketing tactics have achieved a remarkable reach, many wonder if those expenses were worth it, leading to further resentment from those affected.
Negative Representation
Elon Musk’s public persona is undoubtedly rather controversial and potentially damaging for his credibility. His tweets, for example, can come off as patronizing or even disrespectful. He often speaks excessively on Twitter, at times employing sarcastic language and having a lack of diplomacy. This has seen him being called out by many people, and it has led to a certain degree of polarization in the public arena.
Furthermore, the rough side of his character has been seen when dealing with the media and press. Direct comments and certain stances that he has taken have been considered offensive by reporters, leading to even more backlash and negative press. The lack of tactfulness on a public platform is clearly unacceptable, derailing his own standing and results in people being turned away from him.
Selective Appeal
The support and outreach towards Elon Musk is also limited to specific circles in society and unfortunately, it isn’t always the most influential or powerful ones. Reaching out to people from less luxurious backgrounds have led him to be viewed in a different light, as some critics argue that he is pandering to a certain group to make himself look better.
Obviously, this has been seen as manipulative and sleazy by those overseeing. This kind of opportunistic behavior is frowned upon and has seen Elon receiving serious backlash for attempting to use vulnerable, marginalized people to his own benefit.
Conclusion
The media, legal battles, and selective appeal are only three of the contributing factors to why people are so fiercely opposed to Elon Musk. The divide between people who praise him and those who despise him remains visible, with each side ready to defend their point of view. In the end, only time will tell whether Elon will manage to shake off the unfavorable perception attached to his name and change people’s opinions in the future.
