Anti-Musk protests are now an official risk to Tesla's business

Core Viewpoint - Protests against Elon Musk and Tesla have escalated globally, leading to the inclusion of these protests as an official "risk factor" in Tesla's filings with federal regulators, indicating potential damage to the company's brand and business [1][3][4]. Group 1: Risk Factors - Tesla's updated risk factor now states that criticism has incited protests, some of which have escalated to violence targeting operations, products, and personnel [3]. - The legal team has expanded the scope of risks, indicating that negative perceptions from protests and broader criticism may harm the brand and business, including sales, and complicate future fundraising efforts [3][4]. - Historically, Tesla has warned investors about the impact of third-party commentary on its business, but the recent changes highlight the growing significance of the protests [2][3]. Group 2: Financial Impact - Recent financial results revealed a significant year-over-year drop in automotive revenue and profit, suggesting that the protests are having a tangible negative impact on the company's performance [4]. - Executives acknowledged during a quarterly earnings call that the protests are creating a "negative impact" on the company [4]. Group 3: Reactions to Protests - A spokesperson for Tesla Takedown, an organization behind the protests, expressed that the inclusion of protests as a risk factor serves as an endorsement of their movement, indicating that their efforts are making an impact [5].