Tesla recall, SpaceX blunders: All that fell apart for Elon Musk in 2023

In 2023, Elon Musk faced a series of challenges, the latest being Tesla having to recall over two million cars due to issues with its Autopilot system. From advertising problems on X to issues related to anti-Semitism leading to major companies suspending ads on the platform, as well as SpaceX encountering setbacks, here's how everything fell apart for Musk.

What

In a year marked by challenges for Elon Musk, the latest setback involves Tesla as the company issues a massive recall of over two million cars. 

The recall comes in response to findings by US regulators, indicating a partial defect in Tesla's driver assistance system, Autopilot, following a two-year investigation into crashes that occurred while the technology was in use.

In 2023, Elon Musk faced a whirlwind of controversies, from X facing advertisement issues from big companies to Musk being entangled in issues related to anti-Semitism. Major companies also suspended their advertisements on the platform. Moreover, SpaceX experienced setbacks. 

Let's take a look into the challenges that unfolded for Musk this year:

1. Tesla recalls over 2 Million cars in the US due to autopilot defect

Tesla is recalling over 2 million cars in the US because there's a problem with the Autopilot system. 

• This system is supposed to make sure drivers are paying attention, but it hasn't been working well. 
• The recall comes after crashes happened when the Autopilot was being used, some of which were fatal. 
• The recall covers different Tesla models made between 2012 and 2023 and applies to nearly every Tesla sold in the US since the Autopilot feature's 2015 launch.
• The government looked into it for two years and found that the system didn't always make sure drivers were paying attention, which could lead to problems.

Now, Tesla is fixing this issue with a software update which will give more warnings to drivers and limit where the Autopilot can work. Even though this is a step in the right direction, some safety experts say it doesn't fully solve the problem.

Tesla defended the safety of its Autopilot system on X (formerly Twitter) in response to a Washington Post article.

.The recall follows a two-year investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) into crashes involving Autopilot.

2. SpaceX's Starship faces setback in unsuccessful space test

SpaceX's latest attempt to test its Starship spacecraft on November 18, designed for future moon and Mars missions, ended in failure.

• The two-stage rocket lifted off successfully, but the Super Heavy first stage booster exploded after detaching.
• Despite reaching 90 miles above the ground, the core Starship stage lost contact with mission control.
• An automated flight termination command may have triggered the rocket's destruction.

The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed the loss but reported no injuries. The mission aimed to test Starship's flight and return to Earth but fell short.

Starship's inability to meet all test objectives poses challenges for SpaceX, requiring a comprehensive FAA review. SpaceX's risk-tolerant approach to rapid testing faces regulatory scrutiny.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), a primary SpaceX customer, is closely linked to Starship's success for its Artemis program, aiming to land humans on the moon. The setback may influence NASA's timeline and plans.

• Elon Musk sees Starship as a key part of SpaceX's future, potentially replacing the Falcon 9 rocket. The setback underscores the challenges of developing large, multi-purpose spacecraft.

3. Musk, anti-Semtisim and advertisements

Musk faced backlash for endorsing a post that propagated a divisive view about Jewish people, triggering outrage and prompting major advertisers like Apple, IBM, and Disney to distance themselves from the platform. 

• Musk's statement, affirming a post's accuracy, fueled criticism amid rising concerns about anti-Semitism and Islamophobia in the US, particularly during the Israel-Gaza conflict. 
• The controversy started when Musk agreed with a post claiming that Jewish people have a "dialectical hatred" toward white individuals, a viewpoint linked to white supremacist conspiracy theories.
• Musk strongly supported this tweet, declaring, "You have spoken the actual truth."

This incident is not the first time Musk has been in controversy, having previously accused the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), a Jewish organization without evidence, leading to dissatisfaction from Tesla investors and criticism from the White House.

Also Read: Why does Elon Musk keep getting accused of being anti-Semitic?

• Musk has been embroiled in a dispute with the ADL, over X's advertising revenue.
• The ADL, along with other civil rights organisations, has voiced concerns about the increase in extremist content on the platform since Musk took over and implemented significant staff changes last year.

Several companies, including the European Union, IMB, Apple, Disney, and Lionsgate, stopped their advertising on X. This decision came in response to criticism directed at owner Elon Musk for endorsing antisemitic posts.

• Additionally, ads from various tech companies were discovered near content promoting pro-Nazi views.

Media Matters for America, a left-leaning watchdog, reported instances where ads from IBM, Apple, Oracle, and Comcast's Xfinity appeared alongside content containing Hitler quotes, Nazi praise, and Holocaust denial.

Also Read: Elon Musk asks advertisers to 'go f*** themselves' as major ones flee X

4. When Musk's mother had to step in

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Tesla CEO Elon Musk engaged in playful banter on Twitter, with Musk suggesting a cage fight, to which Zuckerberg responded with "send me location." The buzz of them having a cage fight was trending during August.

The unnecessary hype was so much so that Elon Musk's mother, Maye Musk, had to step in to prevent the physical altercation, advising her son to rely on verbal communication.

Maye Musk confirmed the cancellation of the fight in her tweets, emphasizing the importance of using words and humor to resolve differences. The initial banter arose in response to Meta's announcement of a Twitter compe

Musk was the name dragged in most of the controversies this year that not only impacted his personal image but caused a lot of damage to the companies owned by him.

Also Read: Musk is already training for a cage fight with Zuckerberg, or so these viral photos say