Seattle, Washington – In a wave of attacks targeting Tesla properties across the U.S. and abroad, cybertrucks have been set ablaze, and bullets and Molotov cocktails have been aimed at Tesla showrooms. While no injuries have been reported, incidents of vandalism have increased since President Donald Trump’s inauguration, empowering Elon Musk to oversee a new Department of Government Efficiency aimed at cutting government spending.
Experts on domestic extremism are monitoring the situation closely to determine if these incidents will escalate into a long-term pattern. Targets have included Tesla showrooms, vehicle lots, charging stations, and privately owned cars carrying the Tesla logo.
In Trump’s first term, his properties were a focal point for protests, and now, in his second term, Tesla has become a prominent target. Demonstrators have organized peaceful protests at Tesla dealerships and factories in North America and Europe, with some Tesla owners even vowing to sell their vehicles in response to the attacks.
Law enforcement officials have been kept busy with recent incidents, including a woman in Colorado being charged in connection with attacks on Tesla dealerships, and a man in South Carolina arrested for setting fire to Tesla charging stations. The attacks have been concentrated in left-leaning cities like Portland, Oregon, and Seattle, where anti-Trump and anti-Musk sentiments are high.
Despite Tesla once being praised by the left for popularizing electric vehicles, Elon Musk’s alliance with the right has shifted public perception. As Tesla vehicles continue to be targeted, some owners have resorted to using humorous bumper stickers to distance themselves from the negative stigma associated with the company.
The White House has expressed support for Musk, labeling the attacks on Tesla properties as “domestic terror.” Attorney General Pam Bondi has initiated an investigation to identify those behind the attacks and vowed to impose severe consequences on them. Colin Clarke, a senior research fellow, suggests that left-wing political violence tends to focus on property rather than people, highlighting the rise of neo-Nazi groups as a more significant security threat.
Despite the vandalism and attacks, Tesla enthusiasts remain committed to their vehicles, with some viewing the incidents as an unjustified targeting of personal property. Theresa Ramsdell, president of the Tesla Owners of Washington state, expressed her resilience against the attacks, emphasizing the importance of finding more effective ways to express dissent without resorting to violence.