San Antonio mayoral candidate removes Tesla logo from personal vehicle

Ron Nirenberg replaces Tesla emblem with Toyota logo amid backlash against Elon Musk

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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As he campaigns for Bexar County judge, former San Antonio mayor Ron Nirenberg has been driving his Tesla Model Y all around the county. However, Nirenberg has removed all traces of the Tesla logo from the vehicle, replacing it with a Toyota emblem. Nirenberg says he is "no fan of Elon Musk" and is critical of the Tesla CEO's close ties to former President Donald Trump.

Why it matters

Nirenberg's decision to remove the Tesla branding from his personal vehicle highlights the growing political backlash against Elon Musk and Tesla among some voters. This move could appeal to Nirenberg's Democratic base in the Bexar County judge race, where 54% of voters chose Kamala Harris over Trump in the 2024 presidential election.

The details

Nirenberg bought the used Tesla from a family member after leaving his role as San Antonio mayor. He then used dental floss to remove the Tesla logo and purchased a Toyota emblem on eBay to replace it. Nirenberg also scrubbed the Tesla logos from the vehicle's center caps. The candidate says the Tesla "used to be a Tesla" and that he needed a new ride after no longer having a city-funded security detail to drive him around.

  • Nirenberg bought the used Tesla after leaving his role as San Antonio mayor in June.
  • Nirenberg began campaigning for Bexar County judge in November.

The players

Ron Nirenberg

The former mayor of San Antonio who is currently running for Bexar County judge as a Democrat.

Elon Musk

The CEO of Tesla who became one of former President Donald Trump's closest confidants, angering many voters.

Peter Sakai

The incumbent Bexar County judge and Nirenberg's Democratic opponent in the race.

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What they’re saying

“I'm no fan of Elon Musk”

— Ron Nirenberg, Bexar County judge candidate (expressnews.com)

“Different strokes for different folks.”

— Peter Sakai, Bexar County judge (expressnews.com)

What’s next

Nirenberg's decision to remove the Tesla branding from his vehicle could become a campaign issue as he faces off against Sakai in the Democratic primary for Bexar County judge.

The takeaway

Nirenberg's move to replace the Tesla logo on his personal vehicle with a Toyota emblem reflects the growing political divide over Elon Musk and his close ties to former President Trump. This decision could resonate with Democratic voters in the Bexar County judge race, where opposition to Trump remains strong.