A friend recently mentioned that they think Tesla will go down because Elon Musk is too involved in politics, which might lead to fewer people buying Teslas. I found that interesting, as I don’t believe that will be the case over the long term. In the short term, I do think it makes sense, as the media pushes articles about it en masse. But over a few months, that noise will eventually fade and great product experiences will win out. Let me explain.

The harsh truth for those thinking politics dictate stock prices, and might short Tesla or trade it based on this, is that over time, the only things that truly matter are price, efficiency, and capability. That’s just reality. When Cornelius Vanderbilt controlled the railroads, nobody was saying, “I’m walking 325 miles barefoot instead of supporting his politics.” No way. They got on the train. Every. Single. Time.

Building great products eventually—and I would say always—transcends politics. Improving people’s lives, creating incredible experiences, and doing it at a price people feel comfortable with is simply bigger than politics in every sense.

At the end of the day, businesses that offer the best product at the best price will dominate.

Investors can get caught up in the short-term noise, but history favors those who focus on long-term fundamentals and creating great things that change lives. To drill this point home even further, here are a few historical examples I could find:

1. Standard Oil (John D. Rockefeller) – Faced intense political backlash and antitrust lawsuits but dominated the oil industry through price control, efficiency, and scale until its forced breakup in 1911.
   
2. Ford Motor Company (Henry Ford) – Henry Ford held controversial political views, but the Model T revolutionized transportation, and people still bought his cars because they were the best and most affordable.
   
3. IBM (Cold War Era) – Worked with the U.S. government despite concerns about monopolistic practices, yet remained a tech powerhouse because of its dominance in computing and business solutions.
   
4. Nike (Sweatshop Scandals & Politics) – Faced backlash over labor practices and CEO political stances, but superior branding and product quality kept it a global leader.
   
5. Amazon (Jeff Bezos & Political Pressure) – Constantly in the political crosshairs over antitrust concerns and labor practices, yet it thrives because of convenience, pricing, and logistics efficiency.
   
6. Apple (China Relations & Privacy Issues) – Criticized for its ties to China and data privacy policies, but its ecosystem and product quality ensure it remains a market leader.
   
7. Disney (Political Controversies & Culture Wars) – Despite political backlash from both sides, its control over entertainment IP and streaming dominance keeps it highly profitable.
   

More to come soon! Stay tuned as I dive into this deeper from an analytical perspective.