The news: Netflix saw a sharp rise in cancellations after co-founder Reed Hastings endorsed Kamala Harris on X and donated $7 million to her campaign. Churn nearly tripled, according to Antenna, peaking on July 26, after Donald Trump supporters called for a boycott.
- Elon Musk’s political involvement, particularly his support for Trump’s get-out-the-vote efforts, offers a similar example. Like Hastings, Musk’s actions show signs of affecting both his personal brand and the valuation of his businesses, notably Tesla and X.
- Unlike Hastings, who may move on from the fallout, Musk remains an active participant in political discussions, which likely influences public perception of his brand.