A New Trend Among Tesla Owners: Swapping Badges to Avoid Elon Musk Ties
Tesla owners looking to distance themselves from CEO Elon Musk’s polarizing image have found a creative solution—rebadging their vehicles with alternative automaker logos. In a growing trend, some drivers are replacing Tesla emblems with badges from brands like Mazda, Honda, Audi, and Rivian, or simply removing them entirely.
The Rise of Anti-Musk Tesla Modifications
Since President Donald Trump’s election victory last November, anti-Musk sentiment has surged, particularly after Musk emerged as the administration’s most significant campaign donor and assumed leadership of the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). As a result, Tesla showrooms have become hotbeds for protests, Tesla Supercharger stations have faced vandalism, and sales of anti-Musk bumper stickers—bearing slogans like “I bought this before we knew Elon was crazy”—have skyrocketed.
For some Tesla owners, however, a bumper sticker isn’t enough. Instead, they are turning to visual deception to avoid unwanted political associations. By rebadging their vehicles, they aim to prevent fellow motorists from assuming their Tesla purchase is an endorsement of Musk’s controversial stances.
How Tesla Owners Are Removing Badges
According to Tesla’s service manual, removing the vehicle’s badge is a simple process: a monofilament line, such as fishing wire, can be used to saw through the adhesive holding the badge in place. Any remaining residue can be cleaned with isopropyl alcohol wipes. Many Tesla owners, however, have taken to online forums to share additional tips, including the use of a heat gun or hairdryer to loosen the adhesive for easier removal. Some have even reported success using dental floss.
Once the Tesla logo is removed, drivers are replacing it with badges from other manufacturers, which are readily available for purchase on Amazon and eBay. Photos circulating on social media showcase Tesla’s sleek design paired with Mazda, Honda, and even Audi emblems. Others prefer a minimalist approach, leaving their vehicles completely unbranded.
Why Tesla Owners Are Rebranding Their EVs
The move to rebadge Teslas isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s a response to the increasing political stigma attached to the brand. In a statement to KUOW, Seattle-based Tesla owner Jordan Schwartz explained why he and a friend stripped the badges from their cars. “Once every symbol that they put on there is gone, the whole thing becomes more clearly, I think, a statement.”
The backlash against Musk’s political involvement has coincided with Tesla’s declining stock value, which has plummeted more than 50% since December. While Tesla remains a leader in the EV market, public perception of the brand is shifting. Once seen as a status symbol of innovation and sustainability, Tesla ownership now carries political connotations that some drivers want to avoid.
A Tesla in Disguise? Look Twice
For those unaware of the rebadging phenomenon, it’s possible they’ve already encountered a Tesla in disguise. A seemingly ordinary Mazda 3 or Honda Civic at a stoplight may, in fact, be a rebranded Tesla Model 3 or Model Y.
This growing trend underscores the evolving landscape of consumer branding choices in a politically charged climate. Whether rebadging is a fleeting trend or a lasting movement remains to be seen, but for now, Tesla owners looking for an escape from Musk’s shadow have found their own creative workaround.
