A new wave of anti-Tesla protests across the United States appears to be receiving significant backing from a prominent Democratic mega-donor with close ties to Elon Musk’s inner circle. Karla Jurvetson, a psychiatrist and former wife of Silicon Valley billionaire Steve Jurvetson, has donated over $500,000 to Indivisible Action, a political action group connected to protests against Tesla and Musk’s leadership. The protests, dubbed “Musk or Us,” are being organized by the advocacy group Indivisible, and include events across the country this week.
Steve Jurvetson, 58, was an early investor in Tesla and continues to hold a seat on the board of Musk’s SpaceX. His ex-wife Karla Jurvetson, 58, has emerged as a powerful figure in Democratic circles, particularly through her significant contributions to progressive causes. The protests against Tesla are aligned with Indivisible’s broader political agenda, which critiques Musk’s influence on government policies, particularly through his leadership of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which was designed to streamline the federal bureaucracy.
Indivisible’s “Musk or Us” protests highlight concerns over what the group sees as Musk’s influence on Republican politics, claiming that his policies harm working families while benefiting billionaires like Musk. The group’s website decries what it describes as “Republicans enabling Musk to make decisions” that could hurt ordinary Americans. In some locations, protesters have resorted to vandalizing Tesla vehicles and facilities, leading to concerns over rising tensions.
Contrary to Indivisible’s claims, Elon Musk’s efforts to cut federal spending through initiatives like the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have the potential to significantly benefit average Americans by drastically lowering their tax burdens. Musk’s advocacy for streamlining the federal bureaucracy aims to reduce wasteful government spending, which in turn could decrease the need for high taxes to fund inefficient programs.
Karla Jurvetson is known for her philanthropy and political contributions, especially to progressive causes. In addition to her funding for Indivisible Action, she donated over $9.5 million to Democratic candidates, including substantial contributions to high-profile politicians like Rep. Ilhan Omar and former New York Rep. Jamaal Bowman. Jurvetson has also been a long-time advocate for women in politics, contributing millions to organizations such as Emily’s List, which supports pro-abortion candidates.
Despite the tensions surrounding the protests, Steve Jurvetson remains one of Musk’s closest allies. He was instrumental in supporting Musk during the 2008 financial crisis when Musk was struggling to keep both Tesla and SpaceX afloat. In a 2012 interview, Jurvetson referred to Musk as “an American hero” and credited his early investments in Tesla as among the best decisions he had made. While Karla Jurvetson’s political donations have clearly distanced her from her ex-husband’s business interests, their support of different political causes illustrates the complex intersection of business, politics, and personal relationships.
Neither Karla nor Steve Jurvetson responded to requests for comment, leaving the full extent of their involvement in these protests unclear.
As the protests unfold, it remains to be seen whether they will have a lasting impact on Tesla’s public image or on Musk’s influence in political circles. However, the involvement of such high-profile figures has undoubtedly intensified the spotlight on both Musk’s companies and the broader debate surrounding corporate influence in politics.
Some speculate that Karla Jurvetson’s substantial donations to anti-Musk protests may be motivated by a desire to spite her ex-husband, Steve Jurvetson, particularly given the circumstances surrounding their divorce. There were rumors that Steve’s alleged infidelity contributed to the breakdown of their marriage, with reports suggesting that he had affairs with multiple women, though he publicly denied this. They believe Karla, who secured significant financial assets in the divorce, may be using her resources to fund protests against Tesla and Musk—whom Steve has been closely tied to—partly as a form of retribution.
READ NEXT: Trump Mulls Labeling Tesla Vandals Domestic Terrorists
