For several months now, Mike Ignatowski has regularly protested at one of Austin’s two Tesla dealerships, opposing Elon Musk, the high-profile CEO who recently relocated to the Texas capital.
Ignatowski, a 67-year-old computer engineer, once admired Musk before the entrepreneur publicly aligned himself with conservative politics. Today, he carries a sign demanding Musk’s dismissal, though he admits he’s not ready to part with his blue Model 3 Tesla, purchased before Musk’s political shift became clear.
Musk’s pronounced move to the right has stirred mixed reactions across Austin. The city grapples with balancing the billionaire’s significant economic contributions against its longstanding reputation as a progressive college town now evolving into a tech-driven urban center with a modern skyline.
Austin’s iconic 'Keep Austin Weird' slogan still appears on tie-dye shirts and souvenirs, but the city’s counterculture has taken on a new form. This includes an influx of right-leaning influencers such as Musk, podcasters who identify as free thinkers, and conservative business leaders. Austin is also home to far-right figures and a newly established university aiming to rival the University of Texas at Austin.
This transformation marks a departure from the old cultural identity, reflecting a complex and changing political landscape.
Historian H.W. Brands notes, 'For those under 40, the phrase 'Keep Austin Weird' feels outdated, more like a nostalgic relic than a reflection of their experience living in the city.'
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