Issues About “Double-Agent Lobbyists” For And In opposition to Tesla

Sure, issues proceed to be bizarre within the orbit of Elon Musk. Apparently, teams of individuals in cities and states throughout the US which can be very upset about a number of — or quite a few — horrible issues Elon Musk and his crew did in politics are actually working to advocate for adjustments that may damage Tesla, and thus Elon Musk, on a extra native degree. There are efforts to take away Tesla’s proper to promote on to prospects, efforts to dam Tesla’s robotaxi plans, and efforts to deport folks with the primary title Elon — simply kidding on that final one.

Curiously, although, there’s concern that lobbyists employed in these efforts to make life tougher for Tesla come from corporations which have additionally been employed by Elon Musk.

“The wave of anti-Tesla laws is, I believe, one of many more practical responses to [what] Elon Musk did at DOGE,” stated James Browning, government director of watchdog group F Minus (a gaggle centered on exposing conflicts of curiosity in lobbying). “He’s clearly determined to detoxify Tesla and determined to get again to enterprise as standard. However there’s a perverse irony right here, which is that some progressive cities which have been actually damage by DOGE — and the place you noticed large No Kings protests final weekend — are spending their very own tax {dollars} on the identical lobbying companies [as Musk]. And that’s actually harmful and self damaging.”

Now, my preliminary thought was: come on, huge corporations could be employed by and professionally do their job for opposing purchasers. Nevertheless, I then thought: effectively, might executives at these corporations be cautious of pissing off a big consumer of theirs with more cash than anybody can fathom? I additionally know effectively — very, very effectively — that Elon Musk is tremendous spiteful and expects deference and loyalty to him as if he’s king of the universe. Would he dump an organization that was additionally representing his opponents? You betcha!

So, sure, there might positively be conflicts of curiosity in these circumstances.

On the flip aspect, “Aside from holding Musk accountable for the hurt he triggered throughout his days at DOGE, Browning argues that pressuring lobbyists to drop his companies as a consumer may make these companies higher advocates for the native governments and transit companies that additionally make use of them — and in the end, a extra highly effective pressure multiplier for democracy,” Streetsblog writes. “And it might already be occurring. Browning says congressional lobbying agency Pioneer Public Affairs dropped Tesla after an outcry, permitting them extra time to give attention to nonprofit purchasers like Public Citizen and the League of Conservation Voters — and different lobbying companies might simply comply with go well with.”

I don’t count on any notable circumstances towards Tesla are going to get far — banning direct gross sales to prospects is so backwards, and even when some limitations are put in place for robotaxi deployment, the large problem is basically whether or not Tesla’s robotaxi service can function effectively and safely or not. However who is aware of? Efforts on the native/state problem may very well be rather more efficient than broader nationwide ones. In any case, although, it’s bizarre for Tesla and its opponents to be represented by the identical lobbying companies, so I might assume that ought to change as extra folks look into it.