Mark Kelly, a Navy combat veteran and retired NASA astronaut, has taken to social media platform X to express his outrage over continued ownership of a Tesla vehicle, citing political and ideological disagreements with Tesla CEO Elon Musk.

In a strongly worded post, Kelly wrote, “I bought a Tesla because it was fast like a rocket ship. But now every time I drive it, I feel like a rolling billboard for a man dismantling our government and hurting people. So Tesla, you’re fired!”

Kelly, known for his decorated military service and space missions, further elaborated in a video message that he was driving his Tesla to work for the last time. “When I bought this thing, I didn’t know it was going to become a political issue,” Kelly said. “Every time I get into this car in the last 60 days or so, it reminds me of just how much damage Elon Musk and Donald Trump are doing to our country.”

Kelly criticised recent political rhetoric surrounding cuts to social safety nets. “They’re talking about slashing Social Security, cutting healthcare benefits for poor people and seniors—it’s one bad thing after the next. He’s even firing veterans. I’m a veteran, and I have a really hard time driving around in this thing. It’s time for an upgrade today.”

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His remarks have sparked a wave of responses online, reigniting debate over the intersection of consumer choices, political values, and corporate leadership. While Tesla remains a leader in electric mobility, this high-profile exit by a sitting US senator underscores growing tensions between the brand’s public perception and its controversial CEO’s political alliances.