Tesla Targeted by Protests and Vandalism Amidst Controversy Surrounding Elon Musk’s Government Involvement
Tesla, the electric vehicle manufacturer, has found itself increasingly in the crosshairs of protests and vandalism, with critics targeting the company and its founder, Elon Musk, due to his work with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under former President Donald Trump. A wave of incidents, ranging from vehicle damage to arson, has plagued Tesla dealerships, factories, and even individual vehicles since January, allegedly carried out by individuals and groups expressing opposition to Musk and Trump’s policies.
The wave of attacks began as Trump’s term was ending. Hours before Trump officially left office on January 20, 2025, a fire erupted at a Tesla dealership in Salem, Oregon. Local police and firefighters responded to the scene, finding that the fire had been contained to a single vehicle, although a window panel on the dealership building was also shattered. Tesla estimated the damage to be approximately $500,000.
Less than a month later, the same Salem dealership was targeted again. Police were called to investigate damaged windows and discovered projectiles, believed to be spent bullets and bullet fragments. The police report cited court documents describing the projectile impacts.
The investigation led to the arrest of Adam Matthew Lansky, 41, on March 4. Federal prosecutors in Oregon charged Lansky with illegally possessing an unregistered destructive device, suspected to be Molotov cocktails. Surveillance footage allegedly showed Lansky throwing Molotov cocktails at the dealership.
Colorado Dealerships Face Repeated Attacks
The incidents were not isolated to Oregon. In Loveland, Colorado, police responded to multiple incidents targeting a Tesla dealership. The U.S. Attorney’s Office of Colorado detailed the incidents, announcing charges against Lucy Grace Nelson, also known as Justin Thomas Nelson, for malicious destruction of property.
The incidents began on January 29 when police investigated a fire near a Cybertruck at a Tesla dealership and discovered a Molotov cocktail nearby. On February 2, the same Tesla dealership’s sign was vandalized with the word "NAZI" spray-painted on it. Days later, on February 7, a report of graffiti and possible arson at a Tesla dealership was investigated. The U.S. Attorney’s Office did not confirm if it was the same dealership, but a report by CBS News suggested it was.
On February 11, a security guard discovered someone spray-painting graffiti on the building, using explicit language, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The harassment culminated on February 24 when police confronted Nelson at the dealership and found gasoline, bottles, and wick material in Nelson’s car similar to materials found after the previous incidents.
Vandalism Spreads to Maryland, Massachusetts
The vandalism spread eastward. In Owings Mills, Maryland, a suburb of Baltimore, a Tesla dealership was vandalized with spray paint reading "No Musk." There was also a symbol resembling a swastika. However, police later said it may have been an "X" in a circle, alluding to Musk’s ownership of the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. No arrests have been made in the Maryland case.
In Littleton, Massachusetts, police investigated fires at Tesla charging stations at a shopping center around 1:10 a.m. on March 3. Police reported that another charging station caught fire while they were awaiting the arrival of the Littleton Electric Light and Water Department. So far, police have no leads in the case. The Arson Watch Reward Program is offering up to $5,000 for information that prevents, solves, or detects arson.
Tesla Vehicles Targeted in Costco Parking Lot
A San Jose man was arrested after a video went viral showing the suspect keying a Tesla in a Costco parking lot.
Dealerships in Tigard, Oregon, Shot At
In Tigard, Oregon, police investigated two separate reports of shots fired at Tesla dealerships within a week. The first incident occurred on March 6. Police believe that the shooting began around 1:46 a.m., causing damage to three vehicles and shattering windows. A bullet hole was found in an office wall and a computer monitor. At least seven shots were fired.
On March 13, over a dozen shots were fired at a Tesla dealership, damaging cars and showroom windows. A security guard was on duty but was not injured. No arrests have been made in either Tigard shooting.
Arson and Vandalism in South Carolina
A man in South Carolina allegedly set his clothing on fire while attempting to burn Tesla charging stations. He also allegedly spray-painted "F*** Trump" and "Long live Ukraine" near the stations and threw Molotov cocktails at Tesla chargers. Daniel Clarke-Pounder was arrested on criminal charges relating to the arson attack and faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
Acting U.S. Attorney Brook B. Andrews stated, "While we will defend the public’s right to peaceful protest, we will not hesitate to act when protest crosses the line into violence and mayhem. These kinds of attacks have no place in our community."
Cybertrucks Damaged in Seattle and Massachusetts
In Seattle, four Cybertrucks parked in a Tesla lot were damaged in a fire. Authorities stated that no one was injured and no property other than the vehicles was damaged. No arrests have been made.
In Dedham, Massachusetts, two Tesla Cybertrucks and a Tesla Model S were vandalized. All tires on the three vehicles were damaged, and the Cybertrucks were spray-painted. Some of the wording matched graffiti reported at the same location on Feb 26. Dedham Police are asking the public to report any information regarding the crimes.
Arson in Kansas City
A Cybertruck was set on fire in the parking lot of a Tesla dealership in Kansas City on March 17, just before midnight. The fire spread to a second vehicle before firefighters arrived. The FBI’s Kansas City field office and the ATF issued a joint statement on the incident, stating that it was "too early in the investigation to comment further."
FBI Investigates Incidents as Potential Terrorism
In Las Vegas, five Tesla vehicles were damaged at a service center, including two that were set on fire. FBI Las Vegas Special Agent in Charge Spencer Evans told reporters that the incident "certainly has some of the hallmarks" of a terrorist attack.
Musk condemned the incidents, calling them "insane and deeply wrong." Attorney General Pam Bondi released a statement that "the swarm of violent attacks on Tesla property is nothing short of domestic terrorism" and vowed that the DOJ would continue investigating and ensure the perpetrators face serious consequences.
The rash of incidents has raised concerns about the escalation of political tensions into violent acts and prompted law enforcement to increase their efforts to identify and apprehend the individuals and groups responsible.
