Zhang Yazhou’s parents were hospitalized after their Tesla Model 3 crashed into an SUV. But when she spoke out, claiming the brakes failed, Tesla sued her for defamation. And the automaker won. A Chinese court ruled against her, ordering her to pay over $23,000 to the $1.1 trillion Tesla company.

This isn’t an isolated case. In China, Tesla has sued at least six car owners who reported quality issues, as well as bloggers and media outlets who criticized the company. The automaker has won nearly every time.

Tesla’s legal playbook in China

Tesla enjoys a special status in China. It’s the only foreign automaker allowed to fully own its factory there. It has received generous tax breaks and government-backed loans. It has also built strong ties with high-ranking officials, including China’s current premier, Li Qiang.

This influence extends to the courts. The AP’s review of public records found that Tesla won nearly 90% of civil cases brought by customers over safety, quality, or contract disputes. Automobility Ltd founder Bill Russo said, “For Tesla to win that percentage of the time is an anomaly.” But the automaker has successfully sued multiple car owners for defamation, even when they were only asking for answers.

Zhang was one of them. After her father’s crash, she demanded Tesla release pre-crash data from the vehicle. The company refused. When she protested publicly, Tesla accused her of spreading false information and sued her. A court sided with Tesla, ruling that her statements went beyond “reasonable, factual criticism.”

What happens when a company has this much power?

Tesla has used its government ties in China to silence critics. It has pressured the media, sued its own customers, and crushed dissent. And it’s working—journalists in China have admitted they’ve been told to avoid negative coverage of Tesla.

Tesla owner Feng Shiming put it bluntly: “Tesla used their legal advantages to bully Chinese car owners and people who speak up for them…Tesla wants to have a chilling effect on society and terrify people so they will be scared to say anything negative about Tesla.”

Meanwhile, in the U.S., Musk is investing heavily in his political connections. He is advising President Trump on government restructuring and has pushed for policies that benefit his companies.

Tesla has never sued a customer for defamation in the U.S. But Musk recently suggested on X that “maybe it is time” to sue media outlets for critical coverage. If Tesla can use government influence to crush critics in China, what’s stopping it from trying the same playbook in the U.S.?