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Hi friends ,

I've known my best friend since I was 6 years old. He's always been very, very successful. I've always looked up to him, and still do.

A couple of years ago, I confronted him about Elon. I was very concerned. Elon was becoming something I could no longer support. My friend said that he would support Tesla through thick and thin, and here we are today.

He's made a lot of money off of Elon and I'm happy for him, but I am very concerned that I should not be supporting someone that's making a living off of someone that possibly is a Nazi. I'm considering ending my friendship. I want to do the right thing. I care about you. I care about us, and I'm very scared for our future.

I'm asking you for advice on whether or not I should give up on my best friend. We've been friends for almost 40 years, and I love him dearly. I'm crying right now making these statements. Should I still seek his support?

I am just so angry. My world is becoming so hostile, and I don't know if I should separate myself from the negative influences around me. What do you guys think?

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[-] timewarp@lemmy.world 3 points 4 weeks ago* (last edited 4 weeks ago)

There are people that don't care if their lifestyle exploits child labor. As long as they benefit, that is all that matters to them. They are so disconnected and unable to fathom or have empathy for anyone aside from themselves or their small inner circle. It isn't a small minority like this but unfortunately around half of America. About 30% of them are just incredibly spoiled, but as soon as they face hardships then it is all woe me. Now a few of them after may gain empathy, but a larger percentage just want everyone else to suffer and be miserable too. It's fucking despicable what money does to people.

[-] Professorozone@lemmy.world 2 points 4 weeks ago

You could try just distancing yourself from him. You don't know what the future brings. Maybe something will happen to bring him around to your way of thinking and then you haven't burned any bridges. I mean it may come to a confrontation, but you're there already, so no real loss.

[-] AmazingAwesomator@lemmy.world 1 points 4 weeks ago

i, too, have a friend that in all-in for elon and made tons of money with tesla stock; he is an elon and trump supporter, etc.

we talk politics regularly, and almost always disagree in these conversations. it can get a little heated sometimes, but we are pretty good at catching ourselves... after all, politics are all opinion-based, so our politics being on the opposite ends if the spectrum are understandable.

if talking politics is too much for the friendship to handle, then i recommend talking about it less (even though it can be difficult when every other story in the news is about it rn). if he brings up a political point, tell him you would rather not talk politics (i say this to my father whenever he comes over, too; its a lot easier to enjoy someone's company through an enforced facade)

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[-] apfelwoiSchoppen@lemmy.world 1 points 4 weeks ago* (last edited 4 weeks ago)

I've lost a few friends who were sucked into this muck over the decades. It hurts but at the end of the day you have to act by your ethics. If they support and uphold racism, fascism etc you are better off severing the relationship. Maybe he'll learn, but probably not. I'm sorry that it is happening to you. ✌️

[-] the_q@lemm.ee 1 points 4 weeks ago

When you said he was very very successful that's when I knew he was a Nazi sympathizer.

[-] watson387@sopuli.xyz 0 points 4 weeks ago
[-] TJDetweiler@lemmy.ca 0 points 4 weeks ago

Just my 2 cents, and echoing some of the sentiment in this thread.

IMO, if he's buying Telsa stock, it doesn't make your buddy a Nazi, or even a Nazi sympathizer. He's just a guy making money in a capitalist system. It is what it is, and I'm not going to blame anyone for trying to make money where they can. I have friends in the same situation, making money off Telsa, and also despising Elon as a person. I don't hold it against them, everyone needs to find a way to support themselves. You aren't going to sewer your own financials just to be morally superior, because that's going to be a net loss, and it's pissing into the wind in terms of fighting the system.

If he's overtly supporting Elon himself, that's a different story, but it sounds like he just is making bank off the stock, will ride it out as it's in his best interest, and there isn't much cause for concern.

Again, like other commenters have said, just talk to him. Make him aware you understand he likes Tesla, but ask him if he supports Elon politically/ethically. Make your decisions based off of that. A lot can be accomplished with just a casual conversation. I wouldn't recommend talking to him with an accusatory or defensive standpoint. I would be pretty casual about it to see where he sits.

Good luck friend. It's nasty out there.

[-] Litebit@lemmy.world 0 points 4 weeks ago

Friends come and go, cut and move on.

[-] Adderbox76@lemmy.ca -1 points 4 weeks ago

At this point in Muskrat's meddling, it's reached the point of treason.

You don't negotiate with traitors. You don't reason with traitors. When all is said and done, you reach the point where the only thing that is done with traitors is to put them against the wall in front of a firing squad. If that's the side your "friend" wants to pick, it's on him.

[-] vane@lemmy.world -2 points 4 weeks ago

Randomly play M.D.C. song about John Wayne and observe his eyes.

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this post was submitted on 04 Mar 2025
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