Vandalism against Tesla is growing – now the wave is rolling globally and hitting both cars and dealers, writes Forbes.
Tesla and CEO Elon Musk continue to be under increasing pressure after a number of violent protests and cases of vandalism have been recorded around the world.
In the US, Europe and other countries, Tesla cars have been vandalised, dealerships attacked and entire showrooms burned down in what authorities are now calling "domestic terrorism", Forbes.com reports.
More than 10 people have already been arrested and charged, including a 19-year-old man in Kansas City who allegedly set fire to two Tesla Cybertrucks and two charging stations with Molotov cocktails.
According to the US Department of Justice, he is just the latest in a series of charges.
Molotovs, gunshots and spray paint against Tesla
Among the most dramatic incidents are episodes of arson in Las Vegas, where five cars were set on fire and several shots were fired at Tesla facilities.
In New Mexico, a man was arrested for both car burning and attacking the Republican Party headquarters.
There have also been cases in Massachusetts, Texas, Oregon and South Carolina where Tesla showrooms have been attacked with guns, fire or graffiti with political messages. Sometimes the perpetrators have left messages like “RESIST” or “NAZI” on the cars.
According to the FBI, most attacks are carried out by individuals without much planning, using improvised weapons and simple means.
But the scale has become so large that the FBI has now set up a special task force to prevent further attacks.
Tesla Takedown and anti-Musk groups
In the UK, a Tesla was publicly smashed in April by the group “Everyone Hates Elon”.
The car was spray-painted with slogans such as “Billionaires suck” and “Tax the rich” and subsequently put up for auction to support charity.
In the US, the organization “Tesla Takedown” has emerged with the support of celebrities such as actor Alex Winter. The group calls for a boycott, resale of Tesla cars and delisting of shares. The group calls itself a “peaceful, grassroots protest movement.”
However, US Attorney General Pam Bondi doesn't have much to say about the protests.
She calls them “acts of terrorism” and warns: “If you drive a Tesla, you should know that we are coming for you.” Several of those charged face up to 20 years in prison.
Elon Musk and Trump clash
Elon Musk himself has called the attacks “terrorism” and believes they are funded by left-wing billionaires like George Soros and Reid Hoffman. On Platform X, he has repeatedly put forward theories without much concrete evidence.
Donald Trump has also weighed in. On Truth Social, he suggested that the perpetrators should be sent to prisons in El Salvador, where conditions are notorious.
At a press conference, Trump said: “If you do that to Tesla, you will get caught and you will go through hell.”
Trump has also publicly promised to buy a Tesla in support of Musk and called the protests “illegal attacks by radical leftists.”
Tesla owners are being hit
The consequences, however, don't just affect Tesla as a company. According to automotive website Edmunds, March was the month with the most Tesla owners choosing to part with their cars.
Many cite the desire to distance themselves from Elon Musk as the primary reason for selling.
Some owners have had logos removed from their cars. Others have had their cars spray-painted or scratched at public charging stations. Fear is spreading among Tesla owners, and some have chosen to switch to other brands to avoid attention.
Several authorities – including the FBI and police in several US states – are now urging Tesla owners to report all cases of threats or vandalism.
According to the FBI, all attacks will be treated as serious federal crimes.
The wave of protests that began in the United States appears to be growing – also in Europe. In France, twelve Tesla cars were set on fire, and in Germany, a factory was hit by arson, causing a major power outage. A far-left group claimed responsibility.
