How much of Tesla's prospects are due not to free market competition, but Elon Musk lending his credibility to Trump? What happens to his competition, who do compete in the market and take a principled stand against Trump? Is Musk still supporting Trump?

I just spent some time doing a little research (below) and as far as I can tell, the answer to the questions seem unsettling, though I couldn't find many great, current sources in a short time. I'd be interested in serious discussion and information; let's skip the partisan hackery - there's so much out there that more won't provide any marginal revenue!

.

----

.

Musk's support for Trump:

* Billboard near Elon Musk's Tesla factory asks him to 'dump Trump'

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/billboard-elon-musks-tesla-fa...

* Elon Musk, other business leaders to talk infrastructure with Trump Wednesday

http://money.cnn.com/2017/03/08/news/companies/elon-musk-don...

Musk, who is a member of both Trump's economic advisory council and manufacturing council

* Elon Musk: Rex Tillerson could be an 'excellent' secretary of state [from January]

http://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-says-rex-tillerson-...

Note that Tillerson was previously CEO of Exxon-Mobil, a captain of the carbon industry.

.

----

.

How his businesses benefit from the relationship with Trump:

Don't forget the strong appearance that Trump is selling access. What will happen to the space exploration goals of Jeff Bezos, owner of the Washington Post, for example, or other Musk competitors? Note that Musk's actions puts pressure on them, too, to support Trump or risk serious damage to their businesses. And also it seriously disrupts the free market to have it depend on personal relationships with the President rather than merit of the companies.

* Musk’s Surprise Rapport With Trump Means 40% Rally for Tesla [from January]

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-01-26/musk-s-su...

* Elon Musk’s Trump Alliance Indicates Great Things for Tesla Stock

http://www.profitconfidential.com/stock/elon-musk-trump-alli...

* UBS analyst says he can't understand why Tesla shares are up so much this year, sell the stock

https://www.cnbc.com/2017/02/16/ubs-analyst-says-he-cant-und...

"We struggle to understand the run-up, particular as Q4 deliveries missed, though positive spin on the Musk-Trump relationship, reconfirmed Model 3 launch timing, and expectations of new reveals (including more autonomous features) are likely factors," analyst Colin Langan wrote in a note to clients Wednesday.

* UBS (Basically): Tesla’s Path To Profitability Now Dependent On Musk-Trump Bromance [a one-sided editorial]

http://dealbreaker.com/2017/03/teslas-profitability-musk-tru...

UBS notes, “there has been discussion that Trump’s infrastructure project may involve federal subsidies for a nationwide EV charging corridor, which could reduce the cost burden.”

* Elon Musk's surprising secret weapon: Trump? [From January]

* Elon Musk Has Trump’s Ear, and Wall Street Takes Note

http://money.cnn.com/2017/01/20/technology/elon-musk-trump/

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/26/business/elon-musk-donald...

[Both re: Morgan Stanley investor advice:]

"Elon Musk has an important line of communication to Donald Trump through his role as a strategic advisor to the President-elect," Adam Jonas, an analyst with Morgan Stanley, wrote in an investor note Thursday. / "We believe this level of coordination with the new administration could actually evolve into greater strategic value than with the prior administration," Jonas added.

Mr. Jonas said that the "strategic relationship between Tesla leadership and the new administration is an important development" in his decision to upgrade Tesla stock.

.

----

.

And some background:

* Elon Musk Is Betting Big on Donald Trump

https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2017/02/elon-...