{"id":7153,"date":"2026-02-19T22:01:22","date_gmt":"2026-02-19T21:01:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/non-categorise\/davis-boycotts-musk-but-keeps-starlink-why\/"},"modified":"2026-02-21T13:14:22","modified_gmt":"2026-02-21T12:14:22","slug":"davis-boycotts-musk-but-keeps-starlink-why","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/en\/news\/davis-boycotts-musk-but-keeps-starlink-why\/","title":{"rendered":"Davis Boycotts Musk&#8230; but Keeps Starlink: Why?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On February 19, 2026, the Davis City Council in California unanimously adopted a <strong>resolution against Elon Musk\u2019s companies<\/strong>. Tesla, SpaceX, X, xAI, The Boring Company\u2026 all are targeted by this symbolic boycott intended to mark a clear political opposition. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But here\u2019s where it gets interesting: <strong>Starlink receives a last-minute exemption<\/strong>. Why? Because the city\u2019s emergency services\u2014EMS, fire, police\u2014depend on this satellite technology for their critical communications.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When political ideology meets technological reality, pragmatism sometimes wins. And this contradiction says a lot about our <strong>dependence on innovations<\/strong>, even when they come from controversial figures. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let\u2019s break down this decision that perfectly illustrates the modern tensions between principles and practical necessities.<\/p>\n\n<h2 id=\"davis-votes-against-musk-what-really-happened\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Davis Votes Against Musk: What Really Happened?<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At its February 19 meeting, the Davis City Council unanimously adopted a <strong>resolution with an explicit title<\/strong>: \u201cResolution Ending Engagement With Elon Musk-Controlled Companies and To Encourage CalPERS To Divest Stock In These Companies\u201d.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <strong>companies targeted<\/strong>? Tesla, SpaceX, Starlink (initially), X, xAI, and The Boring Company. The stated reasons revolve around accusations of political activities that would threaten <strong>\u201cdemocratic norms\u201d<\/strong>.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The resolution also calls on CalPERS, the California pension fund, to divest from these companies. But it\u2019s important to understand the <strong>actual practical scope<\/strong>: this decision only concerns <strong>new contracts<\/strong>, not equipment already in place. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And here\u2019s the juicy detail: Davis currently has <strong>no active contracts<\/strong> with these companies. The impact is therefore primarily symbolic, a political signal more than a concrete measure. <\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/davis-boycotte-musk-starlink-02-19-01.jpg\" alt=\"Davis Boycotts Musk... but Keeps Starlink: Why?\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"starlink-saved-at-the-last-minute-when-technology-trumps-ideology\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Starlink Saved at the Last Minute: When Technology Trumps Ideology<\/h2>\n\n<h3 id=\"the-last-minute-amendment\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Last-Minute Amendment<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Initially, Starlink was indeed on the list of boycotted companies. But at the time of the vote, an <strong>amendment was adopted<\/strong>: exemption for Starlink regarding emergency communications. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The services concerned? EMS (medical emergencies), fire, and police. The official justification? The <strong>absence of a viable alternative<\/strong> for these <strong>critical services<\/strong>.   <\/p>\n\n<h3 id=\"why-starlink-has-become-indispensable\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why Starlink Has Become Indispensable<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The California context explains everything. Between isolated rural areas and fire risks that regularly destroy ground infrastructure, satellite internet often represents the <strong>only reliable solution<\/strong> for maintaining emergency communications. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s an implicit and rather ironic acknowledgment: <strong>Musk\u2019s technology is irreplaceable<\/strong> in certain strategic areas. You vote against someone while officially admitting you can\u2019t do without their innovations. The paradox is\u2026 delicious.  <\/p>\n\n<h2 id=\"tesla-and-the-accusations-separating-fact-from-fiction\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tesla and the Accusations: Separating Fact from Fiction<\/h2>\n\n<h3 id=\"union-allegations-at-the-fremont-factory\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Union Allegations at the Fremont Factory<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Boycott supporters cite \u201cunion intimidation tactics\u201d at Tesla. But what\u2019s the <strong>legal reality<\/strong>? <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A court decision ruled in Tesla\u2019s favor regarding the prohibition of certain pro-union clothing in the factory, for legally validated safety reasons. In 2022, Elon Musk even publicly invited the UAW (United Auto Workers) to organize a vote\u2014an invitation the union never accepted. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lawsuits for racial discrimination exist, that\u2019s true. But the context is more nuanced than a one-sided presentation. <strong>Criticizing Musk is legitimate, but on factual grounds<\/strong>, not on approximations. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Moreover, to <a href=\"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/x-twitter\/tesla-elonmusk-tweet-vrai\/\">distinguish Elon Musk\u2019s controversial statements on social media from the reality of his companies<\/a>, it\u2019s important to rely on verifiable facts.<\/p>\n\n<h3 id=\"the-myth-of-teslas-market-share-loss\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Myth of Tesla\u2019s \u201cMarket Share Loss\u201d<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another argument put forward: Tesla is losing ground to its competitors. Let\u2019s look at the <strong>EV market reality<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ford, GM, Stellantis are massively retreating from electric, with financial losses in the billions. Tesla remains largely dominant in the American electric vehicle market. Confusing \u201cdeclining growth\u201d with \u201cdecline\u201d is an analytical error\u2014the data simply doesn\u2019t support this narrative.  <\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/davis-boycotte-musk-starlink-02-19-02.jpg\" alt=\"Davis Boycotts Musk... but Keeps Starlink: Why?\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"beyond-davis-what-does-this-resolution-really-mean\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Beyond Davis: What Does This Resolution Really Mean?<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let\u2019s be clear: the <strong>practical impact is limited<\/strong>. Without current contracts with these companies, Davis is primarily sending a <strong>political signal<\/strong> in an increasingly polarized California. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Other progressive American cities have adopted similar positions. But the fundamental question remains: <strong>can we separate technological innovation from the creator\u2019s political opinions<\/strong>? <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">History is full of controversial inventors and entrepreneurs whose creations we use daily. For us, French Tesla owners, geographic distance doesn\u2019t spare us these questions. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The car remains <strong>technically excellent<\/strong>, regardless of its CEO\u2019s positions. Buying a product doesn\u2019t mean supporting all the opinions of the person who created it. By reviewing <a href=\"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/x-twitter\/tesla-elonmusk-realisations-2018-bilan\/\">the concrete achievements of Tesla and SpaceX<\/a>, we can measure the gap between media controversies and real technological contributions.  <\/p>\n\n<h2 id=\"my-opinion-as-a-tesla-owner-where-to-draw-the-line\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">My Opinion as a Tesla Owner: Where to Draw the Line?<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I drive a Tesla for its <strong>technical qualities<\/strong>, not out of political support for Elon Musk. This transparency seems essential to me. The controversy surrounding the individual is legitimate and understandable.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We\u2019re living through a <strong>modern dilemma<\/strong>: in the age of social media, leaders are hyper-visible and polarizing. We can criticize certain positions while appreciating the innovation they bring. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Davis example perfectly illustrates our <strong>technological dependence<\/strong>: it\u2019s difficult to boycott what has no functional equivalent. To <a href=\"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/x-twitter\/tesla-elonmusk-presentation-resume\/\">understand Elon Musk\u2019s overall vision for Tesla and electrification<\/a>, we need to look beyond temporary controversies. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And you, where do you draw the line between principles and pragmatism? The electric transition is more important than egos, and Tesla objectively contributes to it. This isn\u2019t a question that <a href=\"https:\/\/bythenumbers.sco.ca.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the relevant authorities<\/a> can answer for us\u2014it\u2019s up to each person to decide according to their values.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The debate remains open, and that\u2019s a good thing. Because ultimately, these apparent contradictions force us to think rather than react impulsively. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"On February 19, 2026, the Davis City Council in California unanimously adopted a resolution against Elon Musk\u2019s companies.&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7154,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","csco_singular_sidebar":"","csco_page_header_type":"","csco_appearance_grid":"","csco_page_load_nextpost":"","csco_post_video_location":[],"csco_post_video_location_hash":"","csco_post_video_url":"","csco_post_video_bg_start_time":0,"csco_post_video_bg_end_time":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[98],"tags":[89,90],"class_list":["post-7153","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-news","tag-model-3","tag-model-y","cs-entry","cs-video-wrap"],"acf":[],"onesignal_meta_box_present":null,"onesignal_send_notification":null,"onesignal_modify_title_and_content":null,"onesignal_notification_custom_heading":null,"onesignal_notification_custom_content":null,"_yoast_wpseo_title":null,"_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":null,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":null,"modified_by":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7153","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7153"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7153\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7154"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7153"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7153"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7153"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}