A wave of attacks targeting Tesla properties has escalated nationwide since January 2025, with federal authorities labeling the violence as domestic terrorism. These coordinated acts of vandalism, arson, and gunfire at dealerships, charging stations, and vehicles reflect growing tensions over Elon Musk’s political alignment with the Trump administration.
Since Trump’s January 2025 inauguration, over a dozen major incidents have occurred:
– Cybertrucks burned in Seattle and Las Vegas
– Molotov cocktails thrown at Oregon and South Carolina dealerships
– Seven Boston charging stations set ablaze
– Repeated gunfire attacks on showrooms in Oregon and Nevada
Federal agencies have arrested multiple suspects, with Attorney General Pam Bondi vowing 20-year prison sentences for convicted perpetrators.
The violence correlates with Musk’s $250M donation to Trump’s 2024 campaign and his leadership role in Trump’s new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has cut federal programs. Critics argue:
– Tesla symbolizes Musk’s influence over government policy
– DOGE’s spending reductions anger progressive groups
– Musk’s companies now serve as protest targets like Trump properties did previously
Commentators like Ben Shapiro argue these attacks “make no sense” because:
1. : Targeting America’s most valuable automaker hurts workers and investors
2. : Environmentalists now attack the company that revolutionized electric vehicles
3. : Left-wing figures celebrate Tesla’s stock decline while claiming climate change urgency
Tesla has activated Sentry Mode surveillance at all dealerships and urged owners to monitor vehicles. The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force is investigating potential coordination between attacks. President Trump has compared the violence to domestic terrorism while downplaying January 6 Capitol unrest.
The situation reveals deepening political divides as Musk’s companies become proxies for anti-Trump sentiment. With used Cybertruck prices falling 8% and Tesla stock losing post-election gains, the assaults threaten both corporate stability and broader market confidence. Federal crackdowns continue as authorities work to prevent escalation from property damage to human casualties.
