Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, a retired Space Shuttle commander, has opted to sell his black Tesla Model S after engaging in a public battle with Elon Musk. The Democrat announced his decision in a video uploaded to Musk’s social media site, X, on Friday.
“I’m in Washington driving to work for the last time in my Tesla,” Kelly said. “When I bought this thing, I didn’t expect it to be a political weapon. But each time I drive this car over the last 60 days or so, it just makes me think about the tremendous harm that Elon Musk and Donald Trump are doing to our country.”
I bought a Tesla because it was fast like a rocket ship. But now every time I drive it, I feel like a rolling billboard for a man dismantling our government and hurting people. So Tesla, you’re fired!
New ride coming soon. pic.twitter.com/N4Anmsi6cH
— Captain Mark Kelly (@CaptMarkKelly) March 14, 2025
Tesla is Made into a ‘Rolling Billboard’ of Musk’s Influence In an interview afterwards with Bloomberg News, Kelly likened his Tesla to a “rolling billboard” of Musk’s political power. He described how he substituted the Tesla for a white Chevrolet Tahoe, deprecating Musk for his contribution towards advocating job eliminations within the Department of Government Efficiency.
“What he’s doing trying to fire all these folks? I met with them in my office…ruining people’s lives just so they can make some space to provide a big fat tax cut for billionaires like him,” Kelly said.
Musk Calls Kelly a ‘Traitor’ The dispute between the two men increased when Musk referred to Kelly as a “traitor” following the senator’s visit to Ukraine.
You are a traitor
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 10, 2025
This was after the Trump administration suspended aid to the nation. Kelly retorted by pointing an accusing finger at Musk for being more concerned about personal riches than the national interest. “He has taken an oath to his own checking account,” Kelly joked, advising Musk to stick to SpaceX rather than interfering with the government.
A Change in Their Relationship Although the two have a long-term relationship, the relationship between Kelly and Musk has deteriorated over the past months. In 2022, Kelly gave his Tesla a thumbs-up, referring to it as a “fun car to drive” and an eco-friendly option. This latest move to sell the car, however, is symptomatic of a wider change in public opinion against Musk’s power.
Kelly’s exit from Tesla also coincides with growing anti-Musk protests in the US. Republican politicians have demanded probes into acts of vandalism at Tesla dealerships and charging points, with Trump having said that he might label such incidents as domestic terrorism.
And in a twist of fate, Trump showed his admiration for Musk at a White House ceremony this week, even going so far as to say he intended to purchase a Tesla for use by staff.
