In one of the most turbulent periods of his career, Elon Musk is experiencing a clear drop in his personal wealth and his public perception. Once upon a time the richest man in the world with a fortune that has reached over 400 billion dollars, the Tesla and Spacex CEO has seen 134.7 billion dollars vanish from its heritage in just a few months. This reversal not only reflects the change in Wall Street’s sentiment, but also the complex intersections between politics, branding and global economy.

On Monday 7 April, Musk’s fortune decreased by another 4.4 billion dollars, bringing its current heritage to 297.8 billion dollars, according to Bloomberg Billionaires Index. It has been the first time since November that its wealth has gone down below the symbolic threshold of 300 billion dollars, and the losses do not show signs of arrest.

To contextualize: the man who once has reached the top of the list of richest people in the world, mostly driven by the trust of investors in Tesla’s technological growth, is now facing his darkest days, not only financially, but also reputationally.

The immediate catalyst of this erosion of wealth lies in the market reaction to the new wave of duties imposed by President Donald Trump – a protectionist economic measure that sent shock waves through sectors that, ironically, had once been strengthened by Trump’s ascent to power. Tesla, who once benefited from pro-business sentiment during the Trump administration, is now trapped in the crossfire of global commercial tensions. The actions of the electric car giant have slipped over 50% by the maximum records reached in mid -December, dragging Musk’s wealth with it.

The largest markets have not been spared. Monday’s collapse saw a total of $ 271 billion from the Bloomberg Billionaires index, making it the third day worse in the history of index. Musk was the sixth major loser of the day, but the tendency of the last few weeks has made it one of the most prominent financial victims of 2025 so far.

The decrease in Musk’s fortune is not only the result of macroeconomic fluctuations – it is also a consequence of its increasingly polarizing public image and its close connection with the policies and rhetoric of the Trump era. After being one of the most in Vista technological advisers of Trump during his presidency, Musk became a symbolic and literal target of protests. While its influence accelerated the debates on domestic production and innovation, it also positioned Tesla – once a symbol of environmental progress – as a divisive political emblem.

This had concrete consequences. In recent months, there has been a surge in vandalism against the Tesla showrooms, and social media have documented cases of Tesla owners who actively detach themselves from the brand, some coming to remove the Tesla logo from their cars. In the meantime, potential buyers seem increasingly wary of the idea of ​​being associated with what they perceive as Musk’s political inclination.

This marks a clear change for a company that once enjoyed an almost universal recognition among progressive technologists and eco-content consumers. The problems that Tesla is facing now are both related to perception as to production. The manufacturer of electric vehicles, which has dominated the innovation and performance market for most of the last decade, is now under siege on several fronts: the growing competition from traditional producers, increasingly severe regulations in global markets and a CEO whose personality continues to dominate the first pages – often for wrong reasons.

Musk’s tendency to make sudden statements on social media, to engage in political feuds or to deduct critics has alienated a growing slice of consumers who once saw him as a visionary. The Musk brand, which once amplified Tesla’s value, is now seen more and more as a risk.

And it’s not just public perception. Investors are also becoming cautious. Tesla’s evaluation has long rested on an optimistic vision of the future – the belief that it was not only a car company, but a technological company capable of upsetting multiple sectors. This narrative is becoming more difficult to maintain in the face of concrete problems such as the interruptions of the supply chain, the increase in duties and the growing challenges of PR.

Musk did not remain silent in the face of difficulties. Over the weekend, he expressed his support for a “zero duties” system between the United States and Europe, supporting what has called an authentic “free trade zone”. His brother and member of the Tesla Council, Kimbal Musk, went further, labeling Trump’s duties as a “structural and permanent tax on the American consumer”.

“Even if it will be successful in bringing jobs at home through the customs tax, the prices will remain high,” Kimbal said in a public declaration. “We are simply not so good at doing everything.”

These comments highlight a growing tension within Musk’s orbit: how to reconcile the patriotic production objectives with the economic reality. The duties are ostensibly designed to protect American industries – but in practice, they are increasing production costs, slowing down innovation and putting companies such as Tesla under further pressure that depend on global supply chains and international demand.

The question is now whether this is a short -term correction – or the beginning of a longer decline. Musk recovered from adversity before. From an initial skepticism on Tesla’s road to the almost collapse of Spacex, he has made his career a continuous demonstration that the doubts have been unfounded. But this time, the obstacles are more complex: geopolitical turbulence, consumer reactions, regulatory difficulties and a competitive panorama of evolving that no longer guarantees Tesla an advantage of first movement.

There is also the issue of Musk’s attention. With his time divided between Tesla, Spacex, Neuralink and various other projects – not to mention his frequent incursions on social media – questions remain about what Tesla needs a leadership focused in a moment of existential challenge.

Elon Musk is not new to the drama – financial, political or personal. But the scope and speed of this current descent are extraordinary, even according to its standards. A loss of 134.7 billion dollars would be enough to end anyone else’s career. For Musk, it’s a moment of accounts.

What remains to be seen is if it will be able to rewrite once again the narrative, restore the trust of investors and consumers, and guide Tesla through this turbulent chapter. Otherwise, the electrical dream that has helped to turn on could continue to vanish.