In the latest twist of the ongoing saga of the rich trying to outdo one another in their quest for moral superiority, we’ve arrived at the curious spectacle of wealthy people “sacrificing” their Teslas.
Enter Sheryl Crow, Bette Midler, Jason Bateman, and Mark Kelly — four public figures who’ve recently made headlines by parting with their Teslas. The timing? Impeccable. The message? The world needs to know they’re done with Elon Musk and Trump’s grip on America. It’s less about reducing their carbon footprints and more about distancing themselves from the billionaires who represent the worst of corrupt America.
At first glance, you might think, “How noble! A gesture of consciousness, a stand against Musk and Trump. These Tesla-driving titans must be on the cutting edge of altruism.” But that’s where you’d be wrong. The rich, after all, don’t do things the way the rest of us do. Their sacrifices, instead of making them martyrs, reveal them for the artful manipulators they are — delivering a public service announcement with a side of self-congratulation.
Let’s unpack this: The rich aren’t exactly dumping their Teslas out of newfound commitment. They’ve simply realized that Teslas are no longer the acceptable symbol of their carbon-footprint moral superiority. When the world begins to notice that Tesla ownership might not be as virtuous as they’ve led us to believe (I mean, who wants to be known for driving a car made by one of the most famous billionaires on the planet?), they make their grand exit.
The decision to sell their Teslas is the richest form of virtue signaling there is. It’s their way of saying, “Look at me! I’m willing to give up my luxury vehicle to be more in touch with the common person.” Translation: “I’m still rich, but now I’m even more enlightened, and you should be impressed.” It’s the ultimate in high-society humility — where sacrifice is a carefully curated brand.
Sure, it’s all very symbolic, but ultimately, their act of “sacrifice” says more about their need to stay relevant than about any real commitment to change. If anything, it’s a reminder of just how far the rich will go to keep up appearances — proving that, while they might give up their Teslas, they’re not ready to give up the game. They still get to keep the riches, the platform, and, of course, the moral high ground.
At this point, we’re left to ask: Can you really make a statement by giving away something you never needed in the first place?