Protests, arson, trade-ins: inside the Tesla backlash

Summary

Apple News Today: Detailed Summary of "He’s Nominated to Lead the CDC. His Anti-Vax History Runs Deep"

Release Date: March 13, 2025
Host: Shemitah Basu

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1. Elon Musk and the Growing Backlash Against Tesla

Overview:
The episode opens with an in-depth discussion on the escalating backlash against Elon Musk and his electric vehicle company, Tesla. Since Donald Trump's inauguration, Musk has been a prominent figure aligned with efforts to reduce federal spending and eliminate tens of thousands of federal jobs. This alignment has led to significant consumer pushback against Tesla.

Key Points:

• Protests and Vandalism:
  Reporter Becky Peterson from the Wall Street Journal highlights a surge in protests targeting Tesla properties nationwide. She states, "[01:08] We've seen people increasingly come out and protesting Tesla Properties, whether that's showrooms, where there's been a number of peaceful protests across the country."

• Escalation to Violence:
  The backlash has sometimes turned violent, with incidents such as arson at Tesla superchargers and vandalism involving swastikas and other Nazi references. Peterson notes, "[01:29] There have been service centers that have been riddled with bullet holes... folks have been having their Tesla spray painted with graffitis, often swastikas or other references to Nazis."

• Presidential Support Amidst Turmoil:
  In response to the violence, President Trump declared any attacks on Tesla dealerships as economic terrorism, asserting, "[01:44] President Trump on Tuesday vowed to label any violence against Tesla dealerships as economic terrorism, and he told reporters, any perpetrators will, quote, go through hell."

• Stock Market Impact:
  Tesla's stock has plummeted, losing over $800 billion in market cap since mid-December. The stock saw its largest single-day drop since 2020 but briefly rebounded after Trump publicly supported the company. Trump praised Tesla by stating, "[02:41] Number one, it's a great product, as good as it gets."

• Contradictory Stances on EVs:
  Despite his current support, Trump has historically criticized electric vehicles (EVs) on various grounds, including cost and battery life. However, after Elon Musk endorsed his presidential run in August, Trump shifted his stance, albeit inconsistently with his administration's policies, such as rolling back EV incentives and halting federal EV fleet adoptions.

• Changing Political Landscape for Tesla:
  Musk's political evolution has influenced Tesla's customer base. Initially popular in Democratic strongholds like San Francisco and Los Angeles, Tesla now sees increased support among Republicans, marking a significant shift. Peterson observes, "[04:44] We looked at sales and survey data which suggests that politics is definitely affecting demand."

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2. Senate Confirmation Hearing: Trump's CDC Nominee with Anti-Vaccine History

Overview:
The focal point of the episode is the Senate confirmation hearing for Dave Weldon, President Trump's nominee to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Weldon, a former Republican congressman from Florida, is known for his anti-vaccine stance, raising concerns about his suitability for the CDC leadership amidst ongoing public health challenges.

Key Points:

• Weldon's Anti-Vaccine Positions:
  Health publication STAT conducted an exhaustive review of Weldon's 14-year congressional career, revealing his persistent skepticism about vaccine safety, particularly the MMR vaccine. Shemitah Basu reports, "[05:46] ...Weldon himself was never convinced."

• Comparisons to Anti-Vaccine Advocates:
  Sarah Overmall from STAT News remarks, "[05:46] He is someone who seems to be totally in line with where RFK Jr is coming from," highlighting Weldon's alignment with prominent anti-vaccine figures.

• Impact of Current Health Crisis:
  The hearing coincides with a measles outbreak in West Texas and New Mexico. Overmall notes, "[06:07] ...the MMR vaccine used to prevent measles was a particular point of skepticism for him."

• Demand for More Data:
  Weldon advocates for greater transparency and data on vaccine safety, questioning established scientific consensus. Overmall emphasizes, "[07:33] ...he says we just need to see more data... When do we say, okay, I saw what I needed to Vaccines do not cause autism."

• Political Ramifications:
  If confirmed, Weldon would significantly influence US vaccine policy and messaging. Basu anticipates his confirmation, citing precedent, "[08:08] ...most notably, even though there were Republican senators who had concerns... ultimately those senators did vote to confirm him."

• Clinical Approach to Anti-Vaccine Theories:
  Basu describes Weldon's stance as more clinical than passionate, focusing on data over personal freedoms. She anticipates his confirmation based on the handling of similar nominations.

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3. Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum's Negotiations with Trump

Overview:
Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico's president, has adeptly negotiated with President Trump to delay the imposition of tariffs. Her strategic approach centers on showcasing Mexico's efforts to combat fentanyl trafficking, thereby persuading Trump to reconsider economic sanctions.

Key Points:

• Strategic Negotiations:
  Sheinbaum effectively demonstrated Mexico's measures against fentanyl trafficking and illegal migration, convincing Trump to delay tariffs. Basu explains, "[09:17] ...she persuaded him to delay tariffs on her country by making the case that Mexico's efforts to deter people from bringing fentanyl across the border were already having measurable impact."

• Praise from Trump:
  Trump publicly commended Sheinbaum's efforts, stating, "[09:17] Donald Trump: I thanked her for that. You know, I make so many calls and I never learn anything from anybody... What a great idea."

• Relationship Dynamics:
  Mary Beth Sheridan from the Washington Post describes the relationship as "surprisingly warm," attributing success to Sheinbaum's meticulous preparation and calm demeanor. She states, "[09:38] ...She tries very hard... to stay very cool. She calls it a cool head."

• Political Acumen:
  Sheinbaum's ability to wait and let market and business pressures influence Trump's decisions has been crucial. Sheridan notes, "[10:29] ...by the time he gets on the phone with Sheinbaum, he seems a bit more ready to make a deal."

• Ongoing Challenges:
  Despite diplomatic successes, Trump continues to threaten tariffs, recently enacting steel and aluminum tariffs affecting Mexico. Sheridan warns of potential volatility, "[11:40] ...there's bound to be more uncertainty because Mexico is at the center of all these issues."

• Public Approval:
  Sheinbaum enjoys high popularity in Mexico, with an 85% approval rating, largely due to her pragmatic and low-key approach. Sheridan adds, "[10:00] ...she has a PhD in energy engineering... She's also being praised for knowing when to wait a situation out."

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4. Additional News Stories

a. Detention of Palestinian Activist Mahmoud Halil:

• Case Details:
  Mahmoud Halil, a Palestinian activist and Columbia University graduate, remains detained in a Louisiana immigration jail. Arrested in New York, his green card was revoked without criminal charges, stemming from a Trump executive order targeting anti-Semitism and college protests.

• Political Response:
  Fourteen Congress members have advocated for his release, labeling his detention as an attempt to criminalize political protest. Trump has indicated that Halil's case could be the first of many under this policy.

b. House Subcommittee Hearing Incident:

• Misgendering Controversy:
  During a House subcommittee hearing, Republican Congressman Keith Self from Texas misgendered Representative Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender member of Congress, referring to her as "Mr." This prompted immediate correction by Congressman William Keating and led to the abrupt adjournment of the hearing.

• Public Statements:
  Self later defended his remarks on social media, asserting, "it is the policy of the United States to recognize two sexes, male and female," referencing a Trump executive order. McBride responded positively despite the incident, expressing gratitude for her role.

c. Greenland's General Election:

• Election Outcome:
  Greenland's center-right opposition party secured a surprise victory in the general election, signaling a potential push for greater independence from Denmark. The Democratic Party, advocating for gradual independence, garnered approximately 30% of the vote.

• Domestic Focus:
  While international relations, particularly with the US under Trump, dominated the election narrative, domestic issues such as healthcare, pensions, and fishing policies also played significant roles. However, concerns linger over Trump's ongoing discussions about taking over Greenland, which could destabilize the currently positive relationship.

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Conclusion

Shemitah Basu's episode of Apple News Today delves into the intricate dynamics of political influence, public health, and international negotiations. From the tumultuous relationship between Elon Musk and Tesla's consumer base to the controversial nomination of an anti-vaccine advocate for CDC leadership, the episode underscores the profound impact of political alignments on various facets of society. Additionally, the adept negotiations by Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum highlight the complexities of international diplomacy under the Trump administration. The episode also touches upon pressing social issues and unexpected electoral outcomes, providing listeners with a comprehensive overview of the current political landscape.

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Transcript

[Shemitah Basu]

Good morning. It's Thursday, March 13th. I'm Shemitah Basu. This is Apple News today. On today's show, Trump's nominee to lead the CDC has a long anti vaccine history. How Mexico's president has skillfully negotiated with Trump and Greenlanders vote for the party promising independence for the island. But first to Elon Musk and the growing backlash against him and his electric vehicle company, Tesla. Since President Trump took office, Musk and his Doge team have been the face of efforts to slash federal spending and cut tens of thousands of federal jobs. In response, Tesla has faced blowback from consumers, some of whom are not happy about the large role Trump gave Musk in the federal government and how his decisions are impacting their lives. Wall Street Journal reporter Becky Peterson covers Musk and Tesla and told us about how consumer sentiment has shifted since Trump's inauguration.

[Becky Peterson]

We've seen people increasingly come out and protesting Tesla Properties, whether that's showrooms, where there's been a number of peaceful protests across the country.

[Shemitah Basu]

Some Tesla owners have been selling or trading in their vehicles because they no longer want to be affiliated with Musk and his politics. In other incidents, things have escalated.

[Becky Peterson]

There have been service centers that have been riddled with bullet holes. There's been some instances of arson at Tesla superchargers and examples of people having their Tesla spray painted with graffitis, often swastikas or other references to Nazis.

[Shemitah Basu]

President Trump on Tuesday vowed to label any violence against Tesla dealerships as economic terrorism, and he told reporters, any perpetrators will, quote, go through hell. Tesla's also taken some serious hits in the stock market. It's been down every week since Musk went to Washington. Since mid December, the company's lost more than half its value. That's around $800 billion in market cap. And earlier this week, Tesla's stock experienced its biggest drop in value in a single day since 2020. It rebounded Tuesday, however, after President Trump's comments in support of the company, where he turned the White House driveway into a pop up Tesla showroom of sorts, lined up several vehicles and made a.

[Becky Peterson]

Personal we saw Donald Trump sit in one of the cars and he joked about how he doesn't get to drive very much anymore.

[Shemitah Basu]

The President also called on Americans to support Tesla and Musk.

[Donald Trump]

Number one, it's a great product, as good as it gets.

[Shemitah Basu]

There are ethics rules prohibiting employees of the executive branch from promoting or endorsing products on behalf of their friends or their relatives. But the New York Times reports that those rules do not apply to the President. And while it's perhaps not very surprising that Trump is standing by Elon Musk, Musk, one of his biggest financial supporters, his support of Tesla in this moment contradicts his administration's goals for EVs more broadly and his own stated opinions on them. Trump has had a lot of harsh things to say about electric vehicles over the years. He's criticized their cost, their mileage, their battery life. He changed his tune last August when Musk endorsed his run for president saying, quote, I'm for electric cars, I have to be because Elon endorsed me very strongly. But since taking office, Trump has rolled back Biden era incentives that encouraged EV sales and manufacturing. And just this week, Trump's administration halted much of the federal government's efforts to adopt EVs into its fleet of cars and trucks. Elon Musk has evolved too, in his politics and in his opinion of Donald Trump. He went from being a one time Trump critic to now influential advisor. We asked Peterson what were some moments that helped crystallize Musk's political leanings. She said, of course, when he bought Twitter in 2022 and started sharing a lot more of his personal views. But also even further back, the beginning of the pandemic, Peterson says, was a real turning point for him.

[Becky Peterson]

A big one was in 2020 when Tesla's only US factory in California had to stop making cars because of coronavirus lockdowns. We saw Elon get really upset about those lockdowns and really turn against the state of California in response. It was soon after that that he moved the company to Texas and he started advocating for different politics.

[Shemitah Basu]

And as Musk's politics changed, so it seems, has Tesla's fan base.

[Becky Peterson]

We looked at sales and survey data which suggests that politics is definitely affecting demand. Tesla had a long history of being very popular in Democratic leaning areas like San Francisco and Los Angeles. Now, though, it looks like Republicans are more likely to say they would buy a Tesla than Democrats are, which is a sharp reversal from much of the company's history.

[Shemitah Basu]

Today is the Senate confirmation hearing for President Trump's nominee to head the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the cdc. Dave Weldon, a physician and former Republican congressman from Florida, is a known anti vaccine advocate. The health publication STAT did a deep dive into the former congressman's history and found that while the scientific community moved past debunked theories linking vaccines to autism, Weldon himself was never convinced.

[Sarah Overmall]

He is someone who seems to be totally in line with where RFK Jr is coming from.

[Shemitah Basu]

That's Sarah Overmall.

[Sarah Overmall]

With STAT News, especially on this Make America Healthy Again sort of approach that includes not just vaccines, but nutrition policy, environmental factors, all of which are also potentially under CDC's purview.

[Shemitah Basu]

This hearing is happening in the midst of a measles outbreak in West Texas and New Mexico, overmall told us. During Weldon's time in Congress, the MMR vaccine used to prevent measles was a particular point of skepticism for him.

[Sarah Overmall]

In the early aughts, he began to question the safety of vaccines following a now infamous retracted study by Andrew Wakefield into MMR vaccines that sought to prove a link between MMR vaccines in cases of autism. It was questioned shortly after and ultimately retracted, but it really caught Weldon's attention.

[Shemitah Basu]

STAT reviewed thousands of documents and records from Weldon's 14 years in Congress to learn more about his approach to public health.

[Sarah Overmall]

For years after that, Weldon was demanding better data on vaccine safety, especially the MMR vaccine, but also flu, and this idea that there just hasn't been as much transparency as there should be at these public health agencies, which is really striking because he is now set to lead one of them, which could have a lot of influence over what happens next.

[Shemitah Basu]

If confirmed, Weldon will have a lot of say in US Vaccine policy and messaging, and he would join the chorus of Trump officials that have said it would be worth revisiting the study of vaccine risks, even though many lawmakers, including Republicans, have questioned the need to prioritize funding for well covered ground like vaccine safety, especially in a political climate where spending is under scrutiny.

[Sarah Overmall]

One of the main things that I think I'll be looking for when we listen to this hearing is when people like Dr. Weldon say we just need to see more data. When is enough data? When do we say, okay, I saw what I needed to Vaccines do not cause autism. Our vaccines are relatively low risk compared to their benefit. When do we hit that bar?

[Shemitah Basu]

Overall, says Weldon's support of anti vaccine theories is more clinical than passionate. That is, he talks more about the need for data than freedom of choice. And given how Trump's other health nominees have fared before the Senate, she expects he will be confirmed.

[Sarah Overmall]

I would base that on the fact that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Got confirmed. And most notably, even though there were Republican senators who had concerns about Robert F. Kennedy Jr. And specifically what he has said over the years about vaccines, ultimately those senators did vote to confirm him.

[Shemitah Basu]

Now to Mexico, where President Claudia Sheinbaum has stood out among foreign leaders as a skillful negotiator with President Trump on Two separate occasions, she's persuaded him to delay tariffs on her country by making the case that Mexico's efforts to deter people from bringing fentanyl across the border were already having measurable impact and by telling him about a public awareness campaign launched by Mexico to discourage fentanyl use. That campaign, according to a source in Mexican government who spoke to the Washington Post, was largely designed to impress the US Government. Mexico doesn't have a fentanyl use epidemic, and it worked. Trump spoke glowingly about his call with Chainbaum to reporters last month.

[Donald Trump]

I thanked her for that. You know, I make so many calls and I never learn anything from anybody. I know everything and I never learn anything from anybody. And I spoke to this woman as soon as she said it. She didn't have to say exactly what I said. Exactly. What a great idea.

[Shemitah Basu]

Mary Beth Sheridan, the bureau chief for the Washington Post in Mexico, told us about the dynamic between these two leaders.

[Mary Beth Sheridan]

It's been a surprisingly warm relationship, she told us.

[Shemitah Basu]

A lot of Shanebaum's success working with Trump can be attributed to her preparation ahead of her meetings. She talks to a lot of advisors and runs through different scenarios.

[Mary Beth Sheridan]

She tries very hard, I think, not to be confrontational, not to jump on any insulting statement or whatever, to stay very cool. She calls it a cool head.

[Shemitah Basu]

Shane Baum is popular in Mexico. She was elected easily by a 30 point margin, and her current approval rating stands at a massive 85%. She came into office with the reputation of being a kind of low key academic type. She has a PhD in energy engineering. And Sheridan told us that cool headed approach is serving her well. She's also being praised for knowing when to wait a situation out. For example, she hasn't been quick to announce retaliatory tariffs between the time Trump.

[Mary Beth Sheridan]

Says he'll impose the tariffs or even does impose them, and the time where he and Sheinbaum will have a conversation, usually a few days will pass, and in that time, the markets typically have fallen or the U.S. automakers or other U.S. businesses are complaining to Trump and raising concerns and so on. So essentially, Trump comes under pressure from American companies and the markets and so on. And so by the time he gets on the phone with Shanebaum, he seems a bit more ready to make a deal.

[Shemitah Basu]

Now, Sheinbaum has also made plenty of concessions to Trump. She sent more than 10,000 troops to the border to deter fentanyl shipments and illegal migration. She extradited 29 suspected drug traffickers to the US and despite her diplomatic victories, Trump's threats to impose tariffs on Mexico haven't disappeared. The steel and aluminum tariff enacted yesterday impact Mexico, which is one of the top exporters to the us. Sheridan reports that Trump has not ruled out using the US military to strike fentanyl targets in Mexico, and Sheridan says Mexican officials are braced for the possibility that their currently positive relationship with Trump could become more volatile.

[Mary Beth Sheridan]

What I think that people in the Sheinbaum circle feel is that we're bound to have more uncertainty because Mexico is kind of at the center of all these issues. Drugs, migration, trade. It's a crucial partner of the us so doubtless there's going to be more turmoil.

[Shemitah Basu]

Before we let you go, a few other stories we're following. Detained Palestinian activist and Columbia University graduate Mahmoud Halil will remain in a Louisiana immigration jail as his case makes its way through court, a judge ruled on Wednesday. Halil, a green card holder, was arrested on Saturday in New York by ICE officials who said his green card was being revoked. He is not charged with a crime, but his detainment is a result of an executive order from President Trump aimed at combating anti Semitism and cracking down on college protests. Yesterday, 14 members of Congress signed a letter demanding Khalil's release, calling the arrest an attempt to criminalize political protest. Trump has called the arrest the first of many to come. On Capitol Hill, a House subcommittee hearing came to an abrupt end on Tuesday after Republican Texas Congressman Keith Self Misgendered Representative Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender member of Congress. Calling her Mr. He was swiftly confronted by Congressman William Keating, who insisted he correct himself.

[Donald Trump]

We will continue this.

[Mary Beth Sheridan]

You will not continue it with me.

[Donald Trump]

Unless you introduce a duly elected representative the right way. This hearing is adjourned.

[Shemitah Basu]

Self later said on X in response to the incident, quote, it is the policy of the United States to recognize two sexes, male and female. Seeming to be referring to an executive order signed by Trump on his first day in office, McBride later wrote on X, no matter how I'm treated by some colleagues, nothing diminishes my awe and gratitude at getting to represent Delaware in Congress. And finally, in a surprise result, Greenland's center right opposition party won the island's general election yesterday as talk of a takeover of the territory by Trump and the US dominated the conversation. The Democratic Party, which backs a gradual move toward independence, won about 30% of the vote, one parliamentarian said. While there was a lot of international attention on the election, domestic issues like health care, pensions, and fishing policy also played a big role. You can find all these stories and more in the Apple News app and if you're already listening in the news app right now, we've got a narrated article coming up next. As the Trump administration cracks down on diversity and inclusion policies, the Hollywood Reporter looks at how major movie studios have backtracked. If you're listening in the podcast app, follow Apple News plus Narrated to find that story. And I'll be back with the news tomorrow.