The reputations of Tesla and SpaceX, both led by Elon Musk, have taken a serious hit in 2025. These once-celebrated companies are now facing a major drop in public approval, as shown in a newly released survey by Axios and Harris Poll. The survey ranks the 100 “most visible” companies in America based on how the public views them.
In the latest rankings, SpaceX landed at number 86, and Tesla fell even lower, to number 95. This is a steep decline from their rankings just four years ago. Back in 2021, SpaceX was ranked at an impressive number 5, while Tesla was close behind at number 8. The new results mark a significant shift in how Americans now perceive the two companies.
This dramatic drop follows growing criticism and unrest surrounding Musk’s companies. While both Tesla and SpaceX were once symbols of innovation and futuristic progress, they are now facing a storm of public dissatisfaction.
Political Alignment Sparks Protests
The decline in reputation didn’t happen overnight. A key factor behind the backlash is Musk’s public alignment with right-wing politics and his ties to the Trump administration. These political positions have led to widespread disapproval, especially during a time of increased national debate and division.
As a result, nationwide protests broke out across the United States. Protesters expressed anger and disappointment, not just toward Musk’s views, but also toward how those views reflect on his companies. The protests directly targeted Tesla and SpaceX, with public campaigns calling on people to take action.
Shock Charge! Musk’s Tesla Zapped by Trump’s Tariff Storm
One of the protest demands urged Tesla shareholders to sell their stock. Shareholders, who own pieces of the company, were asked to pull their investments in response to Musk’s political stance. At the same time, Tesla vehicle owners were encouraged to abandon their cars, further damaging the brand’s image among current and potential customers.
These actions sent a clear message: public trust in the companies was fading. The backlash was not limited to political disagreements — it turned into a wave of negative sentiment that reached both the financial markets and consumer behavior.
Financial Trouble Mirrors Public Sentiment
The timing of the backlash was especially damaging for Tesla. While the protests were underway, the company released its latest fiscal report, which revealed troubling financial results. According to the report, Tesla experienced a 9.4% drop in revenue compared to the previous year. Even more alarming, the company’s profit declined by 71%.
These numbers confirmed the growing concerns about Tesla’s performance. A nearly 10% drop in revenue means the company made significantly less money than before. A 71% drop in profit shows that Tesla is struggling to turn its sales into earnings. These figures made headlines and added to the growing unease among investors and the public.
While SpaceX does not publicly release financial statements like Tesla, the company was still affected by the protests and the public response to Musk’s political affiliations. Its reputation took a clear hit, as shown by its dramatic fall in the Axios and Harris Poll rankings — from number 5 in 2021 to number 86 in 2025.
The combination of political controversy, shareholder pressure, consumer pushback, and financial decline has resulted in one of the most significant reputation drops seen in the survey. Both Tesla and SpaceX, once leaders in public admiration, are now facing the consequences of lost goodwill.
