The Tesla brand is facing unprecedented backlash, with a growing protest movement, dubbed the "Tesla Takedown," targeting Elon Musk and his electric car empire. The protests, which have been gaining momentum over the past few weeks, have resulted in a significant decline in Tesla's stock price, as well as a shift in public opinion against the company.

The protests, which have been organized under the hashtag #TeslaTakedown, are a reaction to Elon Musk's increasingly controversial behavior, including his perceived influence over the federal government. Many people are unhappy with Musk's actions, and as a result, they are taking aim at the most visible symbol of his power and wealth: Tesla itself. The protests have been taking place at Tesla showrooms and charging stations every weekend, with police presence and threats of prosecution from the government.

President Donald Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi have stated that any violence aimed at Tesla vehicles or property would be prosecuted as domestic terrorism. This move has been criticized for its ambiguity, as there is no specific federal domestic terrorism law. Despite this, the protests seem to be having an impact, with Tesla's stock price sinking and new car registrations declining. Owning a Tesla has become increasingly politicized, making it uncomfortable for many people.

The hype surrounding Tesla is also fading, with popular YouTubers pointing out the shortcomings of vehicles like the Cybertruck. Additionally, Tesla's missed ship dates and exaggerated claims about its self-driving technology have been called into question. If the hype surrounding Tesla continues to dissipate, it's possible that the company's sky-high stock price, which is largely based on hype, could collapse.

To gain a deeper understanding of the situation, Ed Niedermeyer, author of "Ludicrous: The Unvarnished Story of Tesla Motors" and host of the Autonocast podcast, joined Nilay Patel on the Decoder podcast. Niedermeyer, who has been involved in organizing the Tesla protests in Portland, Oregon, provided insight into the disconnect between the "myth" of Tesla and the reality, as well as the growing global protest movement.

The story is still unfolding, with new developments emerging even since Niedermeyer and Patel spoke earlier in the week. However, one thing is clear: the Tesla brand has turned toxic, and the company's future is uncertain. As the protests continue to grow and public opinion shifts, it remains to be seen how Tesla will respond and whether it can recover from this backlash.

In the meantime, the implications of the Tesla Takedown movement are far-reaching, with potential consequences for the electric car industry as a whole. As the story continues to unfold, one thing is certain: the Tesla brand will never be the same again.