Once hailed as the crown jewel of the green energy revolution and a darling of Wall Street, Tesla is now watching its once-sterling reputation crumble at an alarming pace. Over the past decade, the company steadily built its image as a revolutionary automaker, a stock market phenomenon, and a leader in innovation. Today, that image is spiraling downward — fast.

Led by the ever-controversial Elon Musk, Tesla is experiencing one of the worst stretches in its history. What was once a confident stride toward an electric future has devolved into a stumble — some say a free fall. Sales are plummeting, customers are furious, the stock price is tanking, and now the company is facing yet another public humiliation: a massive vehicle recall that has industry watchers shaking their heads.

The warning signs have been there for weeks. Key international markets are collapsing. Fans who once celebrated every product drop and defended every glitch have turned into critics. Tesla, once worshipped in online communities and revered by influencers, now finds itself at the center of mockery and protest. And to top it all off, rival automakers are not only catching up — they’re pulling ahead in critical areas like battery technology and charging speed.

As of March, investors had already wiped hundreds of billions off Tesla’s market cap, moving away from the tech-style optimism that once inflated the company’s valuation far above traditional auto manufacturers. J.P. Morgan’s Ryan Brinkman summed up the moment in a blistering analyst note: “We struggle to think of anything analogous in the history of the automotive industry, in which a brand has lost so much value so quickly.” The numbers aren’t just bad. They’re historic.

And that was before last Thursday, when a new embarrassment hit the headlines. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced that Tesla is recalling virtually every Cybertruck on the road — a staggering 46,096 units — because a glued-on exterior panel might just fall off while driving. Yes, the trucks that cost nearly $80,000 and boast a futuristic, armored aesthetic are being held together by glue — and not very well. This marks the eighth recall for the Cybertruck since its highly anticipated launch in late 2023. What was supposed to be Musk’s moonshot into a new era of electric vehicles now feels more like a punchline.

But not all of Tesla’s woes are mechanical. A large part of the company’s unraveling can be traced directly to Musk himself. Once celebrated as a genius entrepreneur, Musk’s transformation into a divisive political figure has become a major liability for Tesla. Since the reelection of Donald Trump, Musk has inserted himself into Washington with a vengeance — pushing for sweeping changes in government, slashing departments, and courting controversy at every turn. To many, his behavior looks less like leadership and more like sabotage.

For longtime Musk detractors, Tesla has become a symbol of billionaire overreach. Protests outside Tesla showrooms have spread across the country, with demonstrators urging boycotts and even engaging in acts of vandalism. Celebrities like Sheryl Crow have publicly distanced themselves from the brand. When Musk called Senator Mark Kelly a “traitor” over a diplomatic visit to Ukraine, the war veteran snapped back — and soon after, parted ways with Tesla as well.

The backlash isn’t just loud; it’s affecting the bottom line. In February, Tesla sales dropped sharply across Europe, including key EV markets like Norway, Germany, and France. Even in California — the company’s home turf and the biggest EV market in the U.S. — the Model Y, Tesla’s best-seller, saw its popularity fade. YouTubers who once gushed over the company’s innovation have quietly toned down their praise, unwilling to associate with Musk’s increasingly erratic persona.

But even if Musk were a PR angel, Tesla would still be in trouble. Reports show that used Teslas are performing poorly in resale value, making potential new buyers wary. Meanwhile, BYD — China’s electric vehicle juggernaut — announced a charging breakthrough this week that leaves Tesla in the dust: full charges in as little as five minutes. That kind of leap could reshape the EV landscape, and even though BYD doesn’t sell in the U.S., it’s already eating into Tesla’s dominance in Asia — a critical growth market.

What’s Tesla’s biggest win of the month? A new permit allowing it to shuttle passengers around California autonomously — a move that would’ve made headlines years ago but now feels like an afterthought. The company is still worth hundreds of billions. Its sleek designs, eco-friendly appeal, and Supercharger network remain industry gold standards. But make no mistake: 2025 has started off on the wrong foot, and there’s no sign that Tesla is recovering its balance anytime soon.

Whether this storm passes or escalates into something deeper, one thing is clear: Tesla’s once untouchable glow has dimmed. And the world is watching.