Tesla has officially listed protests against its CEO Elon Musk as a "risk factor" in its latest filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), citing the potential damage to its brand and business. The move comes as protests against Musk's involvement in the Trump administration have been spreading globally, with some escalating to violence targeting Tesla's operations, products, and personnel.

The updated risk factor language, filed on Wednesday, warns investors that criticism of the company, including protests, "may harm our brand and our business (including sales) and make it more difficult to raise additional funds if needed." This marks a significant shift from the company's previous language, which only mentioned criticism from third parties as a potential risk.

The protests, organized by groups such as Tesla Takedown, have been gaining momentum worldwide, with demonstrations taking place in cities across the globe. While Tesla has not provided specific evidence of the impact of the protests on its business, the company's financial results released on Tuesday showed a stark drop in automotive revenue and profit year-over-year, suggesting that the backlash may be taking a toll.

During Tesla's quarterly earnings call on Tuesday, Musk claimed that the protesters were "paid" without offering any evidence, a statement that has been met with skepticism. However, the company's lawyers have taken a more cautious approach, acknowledging the potential risks associated with the protests in the SEC filing.

The inclusion of the protests as a risk factor is significant, as it suggests that Tesla's legal team believes the backlash against Musk's involvement in the Trump administration has reached a level that could potentially harm the company's business. This is a departure from the company's previous stance, which downplayed the impact of the protests.

A spokesperson for Tesla Takedown, which has been instrumental in organizing the protests, welcomed the news, saying that the inclusion of the protests as a risk factor is a "better endorsement of our movement than Tesla officially naming us as a risk factor." The group has claimed that its efforts have created a "powerful platform for broader impact."

The development highlights the growing scrutiny faced by Musk and Tesla, as the company navigates a complex web of political and social issues. As the electric vehicle market continues to evolve, Tesla's ability to manage its brand and reputation will be crucial to its long-term success.

The SEC filing provides a rare glimpse into the company's thinking on the matter, and suggests that Tesla is taking the protests seriously. As the company moves forward, it will be important to monitor the impact of the protests on its business and brand, and to assess the effectiveness of its efforts to mitigate the risks associated with the backlash.