Corporate Resistance Thread - Boycott on February 28

[stessier]

It would be amusing if part of Trump's legacy is convincing Republicans to drive more EVs.

[IceBear]

I wonder how many MAGA cult members are going to rush out to buy a Tesla now just because their Lord and Savior did?

[Unagi]

I would bet that a majority of MAGA who were or are in a position to buy a Tesla, have already done so.

Actually, I retract that bet - but I still don't think there is an army of Tesla buyers waiting to leap on this request.

[LordMortis]

State of emergency on electricity because of Ontario Tariffs announced to take executive action. Can't find a link.

Announcing tariffs on steel effective tomorrow.

*sigh*

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets ... r-AA1AGN6m



That Tesla just got more expensive.

[Smoove_B]

“They have gone quickly from ‘all prices will go down’ to ‘cheap goods are not part of the American dream,’” said Edward Gresser, who led the economic research unit at the US Trade Representative’s office during the first Trump administration and is now at the Progressive Policy Institute, a think-tank.

That's a hell of a pivot.

[LordMortis]

“They have gone quickly from ‘all prices will go down’ to ‘cheap goods are not part of the American dream,’” said Edward Gresser, who led the economic research unit at the US Trade Representative’s office during the first Trump administration and is now at the Progressive Policy Institute, a think-tank.

That's a hell of a pivot.

Happened right after the GOP secured their votes. Before they even took their new positions. Much like Project 2025 wasn't the plan until December

https://www.npr.org/2025/03/05/nx-s1-53 ... department

I mean the American Dream was never about building a better life for you children either.

[IceBear]

Yeah, I also heard that he's going to retailiate on Ford's electricity tariff...which is going to be even more unfair considering it's one province affecting 3 states but I'm sure he'll tariff all of Canada for it. I know Ford keeps saying that if the tariffs go up, he'll just cut off the power. Still think that's the excuse Trump needs to justify an invasion in the back of my head.

Here's the CNN link:

https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/11/business ... index.html

[msduncan]

Organized boycotts rarely work. What works is an organic pissing off of a company's customer demographic.

Bud Light - organic anger led to people who disagreed with their moves to not buy. It had an impact.
Tesla - organic anger at Musk leading the company's target market customers to stop buying Tesla. Having an impact.

Organized boycotts like 'let's not buy anything on the last Friday in Feb? Rarely work.

Also, people should stop demanding people who own a Tesla to sell them. They bought them long before all of this in a lot of cases and many would take a loss selling them just to not have a Tesla. Violence against Tesla businesses and charging stations should also cease. We're already in la la land when it comes to moves the executive is making - do we really want to set violence precedent on top of that? Violence not only sets a bad precedent for the future, but it also gives the very government you are resisting justification to make even more drastic moves.

[Unagi]

Do you still support the 2nd Amendment?

I mean, I grew up thinking the whole 2A was about embracing violence when one needs to resist the government. (Which I always found absurd in our lifetime)

[Rumpy]

Organized boycotts rarely work.

Oh, they work if they're part of a movement signaled by a change in behavior.

For instance, within Canada, there's been a movement to buy Canadian and boycott American products. Stores have responded in making it easier for customers to spot Canadian products, and producers have made an effort to make it clearer on their packaging. And with American booze off the shelves, it's become even easier there given they aren't there to begin with.

[GreenGoo]

What's the difference between pissed off customers and an organized boycott?

Isn't that a venn diagram with some overlap?

[Alefroth]

Organized boycotts like 'let's not buy anything on the last Friday in Feb? Rarely work.

Rarely work how? What do you think it was supposed to do?

[LawBeefaroni]

Also, people should stop demanding people who own a Tesla to sell them. They bought them long before all of this in a lot of cases and many would take a loss selling them just to not have a Tesla.

Agreed but anyone who drives a Tesla can't get all shocked when someone flips them off or calls them a Nazi. It may not be fair but it's not out of nowhere.

Its like ssomeone wearing Yeezys they bought a few years ago.



Re: selling at a loss. If they expected their Tesla to appreciate, not sure what to say.

[LawBeefaroni]

And now that the administration has made Tesla the official car of MAGA, Tesla owners can blame/thank Trump and Musk for making their car an overt political statement.

[GreenGoo]

And now that the administration has made Tesla the official car of MAGA, Tesla owners can blame/thank Trump and Musk for making their car an overt political statement.

God, that's amazing. So what happens as new, sane buyers look to other brands, and right wing supporters who have been "rolling coal" for years have to decide whether they can stand owning an EV?

Absolutely fascinating.

[Max Peck]

And now that the administration has made Tesla the official car of MAGA, Tesla owners can blame/thank Trump and Musk for making their car an overt political statement.

So what happens as ... right wing supporters who have been "rolling coal" for years have to decide whether they can stand owning an EV?

The preferred platform for rolling coal will be a cybertruck outfitted with a Trump-branded coal-burning smoke generator.

[Blackhawk]

Organized boycotts like 'let's not buy anything on the last Friday in Feb? Rarely work.

If the goal is to hurt the business directly, I agree.

But if the goal is to raise awareness of a problematic business, it can achieve that. How many people boycotting Amazon or Target are now aware of why they were selected? How many of those people discussed it with friends and family? It is from such word-of-mouth that organic anger arises.

And if the goal is to get people off of the couch and doing something, it can achieve that as well. It's like a sled stuck in ice - the hard part is breaking the skids loose. Once they're loose, the rest is relatively easy. People are used to not acting. A problem arises that people might want to act against, but the majority will not. The transition from 'do nothing' to 'drive across the state and spend the day protesting', or 'get out and volunteer', or 'donate to those who can do more' is a difficult one.

Most people will never do it.

But if you can get them to act once, to get that momentum started, to get them to feel like they've "done" something, then the chance that they'll do more goes way up. You just need that icebreaker. And a simple one-day boycott can achieve that. It's a good gateway protest.

Myself, for instance - I went from not buying Amazon for a day to realizing that I'd finally reached a point that I'm no longer willing to support them at all. I canceled renewal of my Prime account, and have been going out of my way to avoid them when there is any alternative. And if I took that step, others did, too.

Also, people should stop demanding people who own a Tesla to sell them. They bought them long before all of this in a lot of cases and many would take a loss selling them just to not have a Tesla.

That much I agree with. Not everyone can afford to sell and buy a new vehicle at the drop of a hat.

In fact, the left needs to get the hell over their 'mandatory virtue signaling.' It's a type of perfectionism where anyone who doesn't fit their ideal 100% of the way is looked at and treated like the worst type of person. It hurts them, significantly. It causes people who are starting to lean toward their views to flee from the judgment of those who need them the most. It turns potential allies and supporters into silent recluses, or even into the 'other guys.'

[GreenGoo]

The only place I see people calling for the sale of Teslas is here.

I still eat meat. I still shop at walmart or amazon when necessary. I'm probably left of most people here.

Who gives a shirt about virtue signaling?

[Zarathud]

Only sustained boycotts matter. It’s good psychology to bring in resisters, but you need sustained economic pressure to make a difference.

The inevitable Trump Recession/Depression will have more impact.

[Kurth]

Also, people should stop demanding people who own a Tesla to sell them. They bought them long before all of this in a lot of cases and many would take a loss selling them just to not have a Tesla.

Agreed but anyone who drives a Tesla can't get all shocked when someone flips them off or calls them a Nazi. It may not be fair but it's not out of nowhere.

Its like ssomeone wearing Yeezys they bought a few years ago.



Re: selling at a loss. If they expected their Tesla to appreciate, not sure what to say.

Liking wearing Yeezys? No it's not. It's not even close.

With Yeezys, you're talking about a fashion choice that someone probably paid a few hundred dollars for unless they spent crazy money on StockX or Grail or some other BS resell platform.

With a Tesla, you're talking about a car that for many people is their primary mode of transportation and that cost them $50K or more.

It's complete bullshit that someone would flip someone else the bird or call them a Nazi because they continue to drive a Tesla. Those people can go fuck off as far as I'm concerned. They are 100% part of the problem.

[Victoria Raverna]

Which is why violence against Tesla is going to work. Who want to own a Tesla if there is a higher risk of vandalism on your car?

[GreenGoo]

Liking wearing Yeezys? No it's not. It's not even close.

With Yeezys, you're talking about a fashion choice that someone probably paid a few hundred dollars for unless they spent crazy money on StockX or Grail or some other BS resell platform.

With a Tesla, you're talking about a car that for many people is their primary mode of transportation and that cost them $50K or more.

It's complete bullshit that someone would flip someone else the bird or call them a Nazi because they continue to drive a Tesla. Those people can go fuck off as far as I'm concerned. They are 100% part of the problem.

If there's one thing I'm learning, it's that life's not fair.

[Rumpy]

Should I be afraid to ask what a Yeezy is?

[Pyperkub]

Also, people should stop demanding people who own a Tesla to sell them. They bought them long before all of this in a lot of cases and many would take a loss selling them just to not have a Tesla.

Agreed but anyone who drives a Tesla can't get all shocked when someone flips them off or calls them a Nazi. It may not be fair but it's not out of nowhere.

Its like ssomeone wearing Yeezys they bought a few years ago.



Re: selling at a loss. If they expected their Tesla to appreciate, not sure what to say.

Liking wearing Yeezys? No it's not. It's not even close.

With Yeezys, you're talking about a fashion choice that someone probably paid a few hundred dollars for unless they spent crazy money on StockX or Grail or some other BS resell platform.

With a Tesla, you're talking about a car that for many people is their primary mode of transportation and that cost them $50K or more.

It's complete bullshit that someone would flip someone else the bird or call them a Nazi because they continue to drive a Tesla. Those people can go fuck off as far as I'm concerned. They are 100% part of the problem.

Well, you got your wish. Protesting at a tesla dealership is now a "terrorist" act. (the same day a protester from Columbia was disappeared for rendition *without charges* as a "terrorist".

And you can tell when many tesla's were bought by the license plate number.

[hepcat]

Which is why violence against Tesla is going to work. Who want to own a Tesla if there is a higher risk of vandalism on your car?

You advocate violence every chance you get for any perceived slight. You’re a frightening dude.

[Smoove_B]

They are 100% part of the problem.

They're not helping, but no, they are not 100% part of problem.

I understand not everyone can just sell a car but I personally would not want to be driving around in a Swasticar right now because people are angry and angry people don't always think rationally.

[hepcat]

A year ago they would have been hailed as proponents of fighting climate change, working towards a green future, etc.. I fully support not buying their cars now. But punishing those who already have them? I’m with Kurth on that. I can’t condone it.

[Smoove_B]

To paraphrase one of the greats. I don't condone it. But I understand it.

[hepcat]

I understand why Nazi Germany, the KKK and Mark Wahlberg came into existence as well. I’m not saying people flipping off Tesla owners are as bad as that, of course. But I reserve the right to say those who own a copy of The Happening might be.

Let’s focus on the actual villains in this world. Not the people who just happened to get caught up in their wake and may actually agree that America is a political hellscape right now.

[Smoove_B]

I agree with all that, but if you get out of your Tesla wearing a Joe Rogan podcast t-shirt, expect to get firebombed.

[Blackhawk]

The only place I see people calling for the sale of Teslas is here.

I see people going after Tesla owners on the news, online, and many reports of people being harassed. I'm glad that shit isn't happening in Canada, but it's happening here. There are tons of news stories about it.

I still eat meat. I still shop at walmart or amazon when necessary. I'm probably left of most people here.

Who gives a shirt about virtue signaling?

If that's in response to me, you're completely missing what I'm saying.

I said 'mandatory virtue signaling', where if you're not shouting the right slogans, or taking the 'correct' actions, you're judged harshly for it, regardless of circumstance.

Like driving a Tesla makes you a Nazi sympathizer. The left has gotten an attitude that if you make a mistake, or don't have a choice in some matter, you're no better than a hardcore MAGA. Like, for instance, asking a Black person how best to support their position on an issue of race. Or saying, "I got gypped." Or referring to certain indigenous people as "Eskimos." You may have no idea that those things are considered 'wrong', and if you mistakenly do something like that, unknowingly, then many on the left won't explain it or give you the benefit of the doubt. They'll just straight up call you a slaver, or a racist, and you'll quite likely be ostracized for it.

It's divided the left (just look at Democrats in Congress, some of whom will sabotage other Democrats for pushing legislation that isn't 100% hard left.) It's driven those who object to what the Right is doing to be silent rather than helping them to understand. For some, it's almost certainly created such an adversarial atmosphere that they've gone further to the right out of resentment for the left.

It's not universal, but it sometimes feels that way, and it's enough to be a problem.

[Victoria Raverna]

Which is why violence against Tesla is going to work. Who want to own a Tesla if there is a higher risk of vandalism on your car?

You advocate violence every chance you get for any perceived slight. You’re a frightening dude.

I'm just being realistic. Peaceful approach rarely work without someone else doing the non peaceful thing. All successful resistance always include violence resistance.

[hepcat]

A call for violence appears to be your first reaction to many problems.

[Blackhawk]

Yeezys are an Adidas line designed (or something) by Kanye West.

They are 100% part of the problem.

They're not helping, but no, they are not 100% part of problem.

I agree with Kurth here. They're absolutely a part of the problem. Not 100% of the problem, or a major part of the problem, or even the worst part of the problem. But they're 100% a part of the problem.

[Blackhawk]

Which is why violence against Tesla is going to work. Who want to own a Tesla if there is a higher risk of vandalism on your car?

You advocate violence every chance you get for any perceived slight. You’re a frightening dude.

I'm just being realistic. Peaceful approach rarely work without someone else doing the non peaceful thing. All successful resistance always include violence resistance.

There is a difference between civil disobedience and violence.

[Victoria Raverna]

Which is why violence against Tesla is going to work. Who want to own a Tesla if there is a higher risk of vandalism on your car?

You advocate violence every chance you get for any perceived slight. You’re a frightening dude.

I'm just being realistic. Peaceful approach rarely work without someone else doing the non peaceful thing. All successful resistance always include violence resistance.

There is a difference between civil disobedience and violence.

I think you can choose to use peaceful option in your "fighting back", but without someone else choose to do the less peaceful thing, the success rate is usually lower.

Good cop and bad cop approach doesn't work without the bad cop role.

[Blackhawk]

Good cop and bad cop approach doesn't work without the bad cop role.

It it's especially useless if you don't understand how good cop/bad cop works.

[Victoria Raverna]

Good cop and bad cop approach doesn't work without the bad cop role.

It it's especially useless if you don't understand how good cop/bad cop works.

Then maybe you can tell me so I can understand?

[hepcat]

Good cop is you in the Elon Musk thread talking about how Tesla sales are good for the Earth. Bad cop is you in THIS thread advocating bombing their dealerships.

[Blackhawk]

Good cop and bad cop approach doesn't work without the bad cop role.

It it's especially useless if you don't understand how good cop/bad cop works.

Then maybe you can tell me so I can understand?

The bad cop is just there to influence the subject to trust the good cop. The good cop is the one who gets things done.

And generally the bad cop is just bluster and attitude.

Firebombing Tesla dealerships and defacing property aren't analogous to either.