Elon Musk has deployed substantial funds through his America PAC and personal contributions to support Republican and conservative candidates, notably in the high-stakes Wisconsin judicial race, while also serving as a special adviser under President Trump. These actions elevate his influence in shaping political outcomes and align with far-right, authoritarian agendas.

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla/SpaceX, has significantly increased his political influence by making substantial donations to GOP super PACs and Republican lawmakers. His actions include funding major political campaigns and supporting Trump-era policies, positioning him as a central figure in shaping an authoritarian political agenda.

Tesla shareholders expressed concern over Elon Musk's political entanglements after revelations of his advisory role in the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency and his $270 million donation to GOP causes. Investors worry that these affiliations compromise Tesla’s governance and contribute to far‐right political influence.

Elon Musk’s simultaneous leadership of his companies and his role at the Department of Government Efficiency has raised alarms over conflict of interest and transparency, as his firms have secured billions in federal contracts while executing sweeping cuts, including termination of certain media subscriptions.

In 2025, Elon Musk was appointed by President Trump to lead the Department of Government Efficiency. This appointment, coupled with his public derision of unions, underscores an alignment with authoritarian practices that undermine worker rights and democratic norms.

Amnesty International recognized Tesla alongside Mercedes-Benz for their efforts to implement human rights due diligence in their EV manufacturing and battery supply chain processes, noting improvements while also highlighting remaining challenges.

On October 25, 2024, Tesla prevailed in a 9-8 en banc decision by the Fifth Circuit overturning an NLRB order that had mandated the deletion of CEO Elon Musk’s tweet, which warned employees that unionizing would result in the loss of stock options. The ruling effectively allows the controversial, anti-union message to remain, raising concerns over worker rights and corporate suppression of union efforts.

Tesla, Inc. is reinstating its lobbying presence by hiring Akin Gump, a top firm with Democratic lobbyists, following a drastic cut in its lobbying spend and internal policy staff. Meanwhile, CEO Elon Musk’s public endorsement of Trump and the launching of a super PAC for GOP candidates underscores a shift toward far‐right political positioning.

A report by Jalopnik on May 21, 2024, highlights human rights abuse allegations tied to the EV industry. Tesla, one of the key players, sources nickel and cobalt from Glencore-operated mines with documented labor violations. Although Tesla's 2022 impact report claims that audits and corrective actions are implemented at its supplier sites, the connection with suppliers linked to unsafe working conditions raises significant ethical concerns about its supply chain.

Tesla is contesting federal labor rights accusations in the Fifth Circuit concerning a controversial tweet by CEO Elon Musk that was deemed a threat to eliminate employee stock options should they unionize. The legal battle highlights ongoing concerns over Tesla's labor practices and resistance to empowering pro-union workers.

A federal appeals court ruled that Tesla did not violate labor law by enforcing its uniform policy that bans workers from wearing union-branded T-shirts, although union stickers remain permitted. The decision upholds a policy seen by critics as limiting union expression amid broader labor organizing efforts.

Tesla has faced significant labor disputes across multiple countries, including an ongoing strike in Sweden since October 27, 2023. The company's efforts to suppress union organization and CEO Elon Musk's public opposition to unions reflect practices that undermine fair labor rights.

An article from CNN Business details Tesla's repeated efforts to block unionization with aggressive tactics, including firing over 30 pro-union employees and facing multiple NLRB citations, illustrating its resistance to workers organizing efforts.

An investigation by The Washington Post reveals that despite Tesla's public commitments to ethical sourcing, its supply chain includes suppliers linked to forced labor practices in the Xinjiang region. This discrepancy raises serious concerns regarding the company's adherence to its own anti-forced-labor policies and overall ethical responsibility.

The Verge article details that Tesla removed several high-risk cobalt and nickel suppliers due to supply chain due diligence concerns. However, despite Glencore topping the list for human rights abuses in mining operations, it was not dropped, raising questions about Tesla's commitment to ethical supply chain practices.

On May 2, 2023, Tesla shareholders, represented by As You Sow on behalf of Investor Advocates for Social Justice, submitted a floor proposal at the annual general meeting calling for a report that details if and how Tesla plans to eradicate child labor and forced labor from its supply chain. The proposal comes amid heightened concerns over Tesla's sourcing practices including allegations of forced labor in the Xinjiang region and the use of cobalt from the DRC, potentially linked to exploitative artisanal mining.

On February 2023, union organizers at Tesla’s Buffalo facility accused the company of firing over 30 employees as a tactic to discourage union organizing, despite Tesla’s denial and claims that the affected workers were laid off for poor performance.