Here's something you don't see every day: a Silicon Valley congressman publicly choosing a self-described democratic socialist over one of tech's biggest billionaires. But that's exactly what Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) did this week, backing Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) in his ongoing battle with Tesla Inc. (TSLA) CEO Elon Musk over the future of artificial intelligence.
The Battle Lines Are Drawn
Khanna quoted Sanders' post on X (formerly Twitter) Wednesday, making his position crystal clear. "The AI revolution must be for all of us, not them," Khanna wrote, adding that AI should help "workers, not tech barons." Then came the money quote: "I represent Silicon Valley, and I proudly stand with @BernieSanders over @elonmusk!"
That's a bold stance for someone whose district includes the heart of the tech industry. But it reflects a growing tension about who benefits from technological progress.
What Set This Off
The dispute heated up after Sanders called for a moratorium on new AI data centers. Musk responded with characteristic subtlety, calling the Vermont Independent a coward who lacks "any sense of adventure." Sanders fired back, saying he opposed people losing their jobs and that AI should improve everyone's lives, not just make Musk and his "fellow oligarchs" even richer.
Sanders has raised concerns that the tech industry's AI push threatens jobs, democracy, and public resources. He's got a point about the resources part. Recent studies suggest data centers already consume roughly 5% of electricity generated in the United States, and that number is expected to climb as artificial intelligence use expands.
Musk's Vision: Data Centers in Space
Never one to think small, Musk has floated orbital data centers as a more cost-effective alternative to ground-based facilities. He's also discussed SpaceX's ambitious plans to set up manufacturing plants on the lunar surface. Meanwhile, Musk has been touting Tesla's AI capabilities amid a chip-making push for the automaker, claiming the company would produce more chips than any competitor.
The Tesla Paradox
Here's where things get interesting. Tesla's valuation recently hit $1.58 trillion, cementing its position as the world's most valuable automaker and leaving rivals like Toyota Motor Corp. (TM) in the dust. But despite that eye-popping market cap, Tesla's actual sales are struggling. November U.S. sales plunged 23%, facing headwinds related to President Donald Trump's policy changes and other factors.
It's a remarkable disconnect. The market values Tesla like it's already won the future, even as current operations show significant weakness. Tesla scores well on momentum and quality metrics while offering satisfactory growth, but poor value. The stock shows favorable price trends across short, medium, and long-term horizons.
Price Action: TSLA declined 4.62% to $467.26 at market close, according to market data. However, it gained 0.46% to $469.40 in after-hours trading.