Tesla Dealerships Protest as Musk Joins Trump’s Administration: Growing Friction and Concerns

Tesla Under Siege: Attacks Escalate Amidst Political Polarization

By Archyde News on March 20, 2025

From arson and vandalism to targeted shootings, Tesla properties are increasingly becoming the focal point of politically charged attacks both domestically and internationally. What’s fueling this surge in violence, and what are the potential implications for the EV market and beyond?

A Pattern of Violence Emerges

SEATTLE—The scene is becoming disturbingly familiar: a charred Cybertruck, Molotov cocktails hurled at Tesla dealerships, and the lingering scent of gasoline. Attacks targeting properties associated with Elon Musk’s electric vehicle company are on the rise, both within the United States and abroad. while no injuries have been reported to date, the escalating violence against Tesla dealerships, vehicle parking areas, charging stations, and even private property cars is raising serious concerns.

The situation has grown so precarious that in Canada, Tesla was reportedly excluded from a major international automotive fair due to security concerns. This incident underscores the heightened threat level facing the company and its assets.

This surge in attacks coincides with President Donald Trump’s second term and his decision to appoint Musk to oversee a new government efficiency department, often referred to as “Doge,” focused on cutting public spending. While extremism experts caution against drawing definitive conclusions about a long-term trend, the correlation is hard to ignore.

Drawing parallels to Trump’s frist term, when his properties in cities like New York and Washington D.C. became magnets for protests, Tesla is now finding itself in a similar position.

Tesla is an easy target, said Randy Blazak, a sociologist specializing in political violence. They are rolling through our streets. They have dealers in our neighborhoods.

Randy Blazak,Sociologist

Blazak’s observation highlights the accessibility and visibility of Tesla,making it a convenient symbol for those seeking to express their discontent.

Specific incidents Fuel the Fire

The incidents themselves paint a grim picture of the types of attacks being carried out:

• Colorado: A woman was charged last month in connection with a series of attacks on Tesla dealerships, including the deployment of Molotov cocktails and the spray-painting of “Nazis cars” on the building.
• South Carolina: Federal agents arrested a man last week for allegedly setting fire to a Tesla charging station near Charleston. According to court documents, authorities discovered anti-government and anti-“Doge” sentiments expressed in texts found on the suspect’s phone and wallet. The statement mentioned the sending of a message based on thes beliefs, the agent wrote.
• Pacific Northwest: Several of the most high-profile incidents have occurred in cities with a strong left-leaning political climate, such as Portland, oregon, and Seattle, Washington, where anti-Trump and anti-Musk sentiments run high.
• Salem, Oregon: A man faces charges for allegedly launching multiple Molotov cocktails at a Tesla store, later returning to shoot out the windows.
• Tigard, Oregon (Portland Suburb): A Tesla dealership was struck by over a dozen bullets, causing damage to vehicles and windows. This marked the second attack on the store in a single week.
• Seattle, Washington: Four Cybertrucks were incinerated in a Tesla parking lot earlier this month. Separately, a man was witnessed pouring gasoline on a Tesla Model S and setting it ablaze on a Seattle street.
• Las Vegas, Nevada: Several Tesla vehicles were burned in front of a service center in the early hours of the morning. The word “resist” was spray-painted in red on the building’s main doors. Authorities believe Molotov cocktails were used and shots were fired at the cars.

Was this terrorism? Was it somthing else? Certainly has some of the characteristics that we might think – writing on the wall, a possible political intention, an act of violence, said Spencer Evans, the special agent in charge of the FBI office in Las Vegas, at a press conference. None of those factors goes unnoticed.

Spencer Evans, FBI Special Agent in Charge

From Liberal Darling to Right-Wing Target

The current wave of attacks marks a stark reversal of fortune for Tesla. The company, once hailed as a champion of environmentalism and innovation, has increasingly become a target of those on the left.

Ironically, Tesla benefited from a $465 million federal loan during the Obama administration, a move that helped propel the company to prominence and popularize electric vehicles. Tesla demonstrated that EVs could be stylish, high-performance, and possess notable range, shattering previous stereotypes.

Though, Elon Musk’s recent alignment with right-wing politics has alienated many former supporters. His acquisition of Twitter, rebranding it as X, and the subsequent rollback of content restrictions that were perceived as biased against conservatives have drawn criticism from the left. Furthermore, estimates suggest that Musk spent a significant amount, possibly $250 million, supporting Trump’s 2024 campaign, solidifying his image as a major benefactor of the Republican party.

Musk’s continued leadership of Tesla, alongside his roles at X and SpaceX, while together advising President Trump, has blurred the lines between business, politics, and government.
Tesla’s stock initially surged after Trump’s election but has since relinquished those gains,reflecting the growing controversy surrounding the company.

Trump himself has publicly supported Tesla, showcasing the company’s vehicles at the White House and expressing interest in purchasing a Model S, despite his past skepticism towards electric vehicles.
Tesla has not issued an official response to the vandalism. Though, Musk addressed the issue during an appearance on Senator Ted Cruz’s podcast, suggesting that at least part of this is organized and financed by leftist organizations in the United States, financed by left -wing billions, basically.

Musk further condemned the violence in a post on X, stating, This level of violence is crazy and deeply incorrect. He added, Tesla only manufactures electric cars and has done nothing to deserve these evil attacks.
In response, the progressive group Indivisible, which published a guide titled “Musk or us” for organizing protests, asserted that its guidance is publicly available and explicitly encourages the peaceful protest and condemns any act of violence or vandalism.

Faced with the growing stigma, some Tesla owners have resorted to using bumper stickers to distance themselves from Musk’s politics, with messages such as “I bought this before we knew that Elon was crazy” or “I just wanted an electric car. I’m sorry,guys.”

According to Cargurus, prices for used Cybertrucks, Tesla’s most distinctive model, have declined by nearly 8% as Trump took office, while the overall used car market has remained relatively stable.

Metric	Change Since President Trump Assumed Office
Used Cybertruck Prices	Down Approximately 8%
Overall Used Car Market	Stable

The White House Pledges action

The White House has voiced its support for Musk, a prominent member of the administration and a key donor to pro-Trump political committees.President Trump has labeled the vandalism against Tesla as “internal terrorism” and threatened severe repercussions, warning that those who attack the company “will go through a hell.”

Secretary of Justice Pam Bondi announced the launch of an examination “to see how this is being financed, who is behind this.”

If you are going to play a Tesla, go to a dealership, do something, you better be careful because we are going for you, Bondi said Friday on Fox Business Network.
in a statement on Tuesday, he promised to continue investigations that impose severe consequences, even for those operating behind the scenes to coordinate and finance these crimes.

Pam Bondi, Secretary of Justice

While the White House is taking a firm stance, some experts believe that the focus on Tesla-related violence might potentially be misdirected.

Colin Clarke, a veteran researcher at the Soufan Center, argues that left-wing political violence typically targets property rather then individuals. He suggests that the rise of neo-Nazi groups poses a greater security threat at present.
Clark stated, It is not the type of act that would prioritize. Not at this time compared to all other threats that exist.

Despite the turmoil, many Tesla owners remain loyal to the brand.

Theresa Ramsdell, president of the Washington state Tesla owners group, expressed her frustration, stating, They hate Elon and Trump everything they want, it’s okay, it’s your choice. However, she emphasized, It does not justify to ruin someone’s property, vandalize it, destroy it, set fire. there are other ways to make your voice heard that they are more effective.

Ramsdell recounted a recent incident where someone placed a “no to Elon” sticker on her Cybertruck but affirmed her commitment to driving Teslas. Other club members share a similar sentiment.
I love my car. It’s the safest car, Ramsdell declared.I’m not going to let another person judge me by the car I drive.

Do these attacks on Tesla properties risk negatively impacting public perception of electric vehicles as a whole?

Tesla Under Siege: An Interview with Dr. Anya Sharma

Archyde News sat down today with Dr.Anya Sharma, a political sociologist specializing in extremism and social movements, to discuss the recent surge in attacks against Tesla properties.Dr. Sharma, welcome.

Welcome, Dr. Sharma

Thank you for having me.

the Escalation of Violence

Archyde News: Dr. Sharma, we’ve seen a concerning rise in violence targeting Tesla dealerships, charging stations, and even private vehicles. What do you believe is driving this trend of Tesla attacks?

Dr. Sharma: The situation is multifaceted.We’re witnessing a convergence of several factors. firstly, the inherent political polarization of our current climate plays a huge role. Tesla,once a symbol of innovation and a darling of the environmental movement,has become a lightning rod due to Elon Musk’s associations with conservative politics. This makes it an easy target for those on the opposite side of the political spectrum.

Political Polarization and Extremism

Archyde News: You mentioned political polarization. How does this translate to on-the-ground actions like arson and vandalism?

Dr. Sharma: Extremist groups often leverage symbols to communicate thier ideologies. Tesla, its dealerships, and even its vehicles, have become symbols of broader political disagreements. Online radicalization is another area to consider. Individuals who have been isolated at home may have come in contact with different ideas, or may feel empowered, and more willing to act on certain beliefs.

The Role of Elon Musk

Archyde News: Elon Musk’s involvement and statements on social media is often cited. Do you see his actions as a catalyst for these Tesla-related attacks?

Dr. Sharma: Musk’s political alignment and his decisions surrounding X, formerly Twitter, have certainly accelerated the backlash. He’s become a vrey visible figure, a polarizing one, and that visibility makes him and, by extension, his company, a clear target. The perception of his wealth and influence also plays a role.

Potential Consequences

Archyde News: What are the potential long-term effects of these attacks? Could this impact investment in the EV market?

Dr. Sharma: The immediate concern is obviously safety. The attacks themselves are risky and threaten property.Tho,more broadly,this climate of fear and instability can disrupt supply chains,deter potential Tesla customers. Furthermore, it is possible that the political environment might discourage investment in the EV market should the attacks continue.

Looking Ahead

Archyde News: The White House has labeled these attacks as “internal terrorism.” Do you agree with this assessment?

Dr. Sharma: The term “terrorism” is often debated. And I’m not sure the correct term has been used. There are definitional challenges to consider here. What is really crucial is that the attacks pose a serious threat and need to be taken very seriously. The violence and the motivations for these acts need to be investigated.

Archyde News: What steps, if any, could be taken to de-escalate this situation?

Dr. Sharma: Dialog is critical. Bringing together various stakeholders –law enforcement, political leaders from different sides, and community members – is critically important. We must also address the underlying drivers of political extremism. However, it’s important to consider the ways in which technology, such as social media, helps to create and spread extremist rhetoric. This goes beyond the political sphere and is also relevant to the rise of neo-Nazi groups. We might see other similar attacks in the future, too. The threat of political violence should be taken seriously.

Reader Input

archyde News: Thank you, Dr. Sharma. A final question for our readers: Do you believe these attacks will ultimately influence the public’s perception of Tesla and the broader electric vehicle market? And if so,how?

We appreciate Dr. Sharma’s insights.This is a developing story, and Archyde News will continue to provide updates as they become available.