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9 Tesla Attacks Across America: Musk Condemns 'Domestic Terrorism'

From incidents involving Molotov cocktails in Las Vegas to drive-by shootings in Portland, a series of violent events has triggered a swift crackdown by the FBI and ATF amid escalating political tensions.

April 2, 2025

Summary

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Elon Musk has condemned the widespread attacks on Tesla facilities and vehicles as acts of vandalism and violence.

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The Federal Bureau of Investigation, alongside the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), has launched a task force investigating at least 80 cases of arson, vandalism, and gunfire against Tesla assets.

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Incidents include drive-by shootings and Molotov cocktail attacks in Las Vegas and South Carolina, along with vandalism and bomb squad call-outs in Austin, Texas.

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Worldwide protests against Tesla, organized in response to Musk’s federal efficiency reforms, are expected to target more than 500 Tesla locations globally.

In a dramatic escalation of violence against Tesla facilities, vehicles, and charging stations, government agencies have stepped in quickly. Tesla CEO Elon Musk, a steadfast conservative voice, has labeled these incidents as nothing less than acts of terrorism within the country. He argues that authorities should look beyond the attackers on the ground and instead focus on those who might be orchestrating the violence. Communities nationwide have been rocked by a string of alarming criminal acts over recent months. In Las Vegas on March 18, an individual dressed in black shot at Tesla vehicles near a repair shop, set two cars ablaze with Molotov cocktails, and went on to spray-paint the word "Resist" on a storefront. Just days earlier, on March 7 in North Charleston, South Carolina, a 24-year-old reportedly launched multiple Molotov cocktails at a Tesla charging station, leaving graffiti that blended expletives with pro-Ukraine messages and anti-Trump slogans. Other incidents have left communities on edge. In Portland, Oregon, gunshots rang out, disrupting the night outside a Tesla showroom, while in Boston, seven charging stations at a suburban mall were deliberately set on fire. In Washington, DC, hateful political slogans were scrawled on Tesla vehicles, and in Loveland, Colorado, a local woman is suspected of targeting a Tesla dealer with both Molotov cocktails and spray paint. During a candid appearance on Fox News’ The Five, Musk compared these attacks to terrorism meant to intimidate everyday Americans. He warned, bluntly, that “the president has made it very clear we’re going after those that are paying and organizing these violent attacks.” His criticism was pointed, especially toward political figures who, he suggests, remain silent about the violence affecting Tesla properties, even while advocating for peaceful demonstrations. In response, the FBI has established a dedicated task force in collaboration with the ATF, focusing on incidents across at least nine states. FBI Director Kash Patel took to social media to emphasize that attacking Tesla stores by shooting or burning Superchargers could very well be classified as terrorism, vowing that those responsible will be brought to justice swiftly. Authorities are increasingly troubled by a pattern of violence: a drive-by shooting in Portland, acts of arson in both Boston and North Charleston, and a bomb squad deployment in Austin, Texas, to investigate suspicious devices at a Tesla dealer. In Palm Beach County, Florida, law enforcement quickly arrested a driver whose SUV nearly endangered a group of anti-Tesla protesters by jumping a curb. The violence isn’t just aimed at large facilities. In Wichita, Kansas, a resident discovered deep scratches on her new red Tesla after a night out, and in Newtown Township, Pennsylvania, locals are investigating vandalism on a Tesla Cybertruck by juveniles. These personal attacks underline the growing polarization and discontent taking shape in communities across the nation. Amidst this turmoil, a broader movement opposing Musk’s controversial federal efficiency reforms is gaining momentum. Organized by a group known as the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), grassroots activists are gearing up for a “Global Day of Action” that will target more than 500 Tesla locations worldwide. While the organizers insist their demonstrations will remain peaceful, critics—mostly from the left—warn that linking protest with terrorism could have unintended consequences. Some conservatives argue that the federal response is as much about shielding Tesla's assets and investor interests as it is about protecting property. One protest spokesman even claimed that certain left-wing groups are intentionally making it difficult to distinguish between peaceful demonstration and extremism, aiming to suppress dissent, undercut Tesla’s stock, dent Musk’s fortune, and hinder his support for former President Trump. The political stakes have rarely been higher, especially in battleground states like Wisconsin, where voters will soon decide on a referendum that could reshape the state’s Supreme Court and impact key issues such as congressional redistricting, labor rights, abortion, and voting laws. Musk warned that outcomes in these critical states could jeopardize the GOP’s narrow Senate majority and, with it, broader elements of the Trump agenda. Key figures from the Trump administration, including President Trump and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, have stood in solidarity with Tesla, condemning these violent attacks and even hinting at harsh penalties. They emphasized that while the right to peaceful protest is a fundamental freedom, violent actions cannot be accepted. However, not everyone agrees with this strict position. Civil libertarians caution that equating protest with terrorism risks eroding fundamental rights. Former FBI agents and legal experts have warned that an overly zealous counterterrorism approach might inadvertently target law-abiding citizens, distracting from the hunt for the true perpetrators behind these attacks. With the Global Day of Action looming and enhanced security measures being put in place at Tesla facilities, communities across the nation are preparing for the future. The coming days will truly test our ability to balance the protection of property and public safety with the preservation of free expression and personal freedoms in these divided times.