Over eighty reports of Tesla vandalism have been filed since January as protests against Elon Musk surge across the country. Whether individual owners or entire dealerships, the electric cars have been targeted with arson, gunfire, and graffiti in at least nine states, including Missouri, Massachusetts, Oregon, and Nevada. Teslas in Las Vegas were set on fire with Molotov cocktails, an Oregon dealership was shot up, and several Tesla charging stations were set on fire in Massachusetts. Graffiti accuses owners of being racists, fascists, and political opponents.
The attacks began after Musk, the company’s CEO, was appointed by President Donald Trump to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). DOGE, tasked with slashing wasteful federal spending and fraud within the federal government, has laid off tens of thousands of federal employees as part of its cuts.
In response to this political change, some have been taking out their personal feelings on innocent buyers, vandalizing property and scaring thousands of owners.
Trump posted on Truth Social, saying, “People that get caught sabotaging Teslas will stand a very good chance of going to jail for up to twenty years, and that includes the funders.”
Musk himself made many comments, including the statement, “Some people, it’s like, listen, I understand if you don’t want to buy our product, but you don’t have to burn it down. That’s a bit unreasonable.” Both Trump and Musk made promises to go after the vandalists and handle the problem.
According to the FBI, those responsible for the criminal acts against Tesla appear to be “lone offenders” who target the properties at night. “Individuals require planning to use rudimentary tactics, such as improvised incendiary devices and firearms and may perceive these attacks as victimless property crimes.”
It has been noted that criminals could make threats online, inquiring about or examining security measures at Tesla dealerships, take photos of security-related equipment of personnel at Tesla dealerships or attempt to gain access to restricted areas at Tesla-related properties by bypassing security.
A website called “Dogequest” claimed to have compiled a list of Tesla owners, their addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses in an apparent effort to dox those who have not sold their vehicles out of fear of being targeted. The site, which has been taken down, also contained a map of Tesla dealerships and charging stations.
Police have said that “this senseless crime and its subsequent consequences should serve as a clear reminder: no matter one’s personal beliefs or frustration, they do not justify illegal actions. We urge everyone to respect one another, and above all, to respect the law.”
