A prominent Tesla supporter, known as "Whole Mars Catalog" on social media, has accused the "Tesla Takedown" protest movement of being co-opted by "$TSLAQ short sellers" with the sole aim of destroying the company. The accusation comes amidst ongoing demonstrations, including those targeting the recently opened Tesla Diner in West Hollywood, and an aggressive call to confront protesters.
According to the tweet posted on Wednesday, "This is the email the Tesla Takedown protesters sent out on Wednesday to try and get people to attack the diner." The author further stated, "This isn’t about politics anymore. This protest movement has been taken over by $TSLAQ short sellers. Their only aim is to destroy the company."
The "Tesla Takedown" movement, which emerged in early 2025, describes itself as a decentralized, grassroots effort protesting Elon Musk's role in the Trump administration and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiatives. Organizers have consistently emphasized the peaceful nature of their demonstrations, which have occurred at Tesla showrooms globally, despite some isolated incidents of vandalism.
TSLAQ is a loose collective of short-sellers, skeptics, and researchers who openly criticize Tesla, Inc. and its CEO, Elon Musk, often coordinating on social media to share analysis and opinions about the company's stock. While Musk and his supporters have previously alleged that TSLAQ members are behind various criticisms and protests, the Tesla Takedown movement's stated objectives have primarily revolved around political opposition to Musk's influence.
The new Tesla Diner, a retro-futuristic establishment combining a diner, drive-in theater, and Supercharging station, opened on July 21, 2025, in West Hollywood, California, at 7001 Santa Monica Boulevard. Its opening has drawn significant attention, including protests from the Tesla Takedown movement.
The "Whole Mars Catalog" tweet concluded with an inflammatory directive to Tesla supporters: "Stand up in front of their face and tell them to go fuck themselves if you see them. What they are doing is pure evil." This statement reflects a growing polarization between supporters and critics of Tesla and its CEO, with the author expressing excitement for the diner and the X acquisition as signs of strong support for the company.