Tesla Dealership Attacks On The Rise

Attacks on Tesla properties, like showrooms, charging stations, and private cars, are on the rise in the recent past.

These incidents are occurring in the U.S. and other countries.

No one has been hurt, but these incidents have increased.

The attacks have been fueled by Elon Musk’s nomination to the government department focused on budget cuts.

Experts aren’t sure yet if this will turn into a bigger trend.

People who oppose Musk have held peaceful protests at Tesla dealerships and factories in North America and Europe.

Some Tesla owners, including a U.S. senator who argued with Musk, say they will sell their cars.

At the same time, police are dealing with ongoing attacks on Tesla properties.

During Trump’s first term, people often protested at his properties. Now, in his second term, Tesla is becoming a new target.

“Tesla is an easy target,” says sociologist Randy Blazak, who studied political violence.

He explained that their cars are everywhere, and their dealerships are in many neighbourhoods.

Federal agents in South Carolina arrested a man for allegedly setting fire to Tesla charging stations near Charleston.

An ATF agent said they found writings in his bedroom and wallet that criticised the government and DOGE.

“The statement made mention of sending a message based on these beliefs,” the agent wrote.

Some of the biggest incidents have happened in left-leaning cities like Portland and Seattle.

Many people in these cities oppose Trump and Musk.

Earlier this month, someone set fire to four Cybertrucks in a Tesla lot in Seattle.

FBI Special Agent Spencer Evans said the attacks could have a political motive, pointing to the writings and violence. “None of those factors are lost on us,” he added.

Speculations on the Left Political Group Targeting Tesla

Tesla was once popular with the left and got a $465 million federal loan during the Obama administration.

The company changed how people saw electric cars, showing they could be powerful, stylish, and have a long range.

Recently, Musk has become more supportive of the political right.

He bought Twitter, renamed it X, and removed rules that had upset conservatives.

He also gave about $250 million to support Trump’s 2024 campaign, making him Trump’s biggest donor.

Musk still runs Tesla while also managing X and SpaceX and advising Trump.

After Trump was elected, Tesla’s stock doubled in value but has since dropped back down.

Trump helped promote Tesla by displaying electric cars at the White House.

Even though he used to criticise EVs, he praised them and said he would buy an $80,000 Model S.

Musk talked about the vandalism on Sen. Ted Cruz’s podcast.

He said some of it is organised and funded by left-wing groups and billionaires.

The next day, he spoke out on X, calling the violence “insane and deeply wrong”.

He also shared a video of Teslas on fire in Las Vegas.

“Tesla just makes electric cars and has done nothing to deserve these evil attacks,” he wrote.