President Trump declares attacks on Tesla dealerships as domestic terrorism amid escalating protests against Elon Musk, showing support by purchasing his own Tesla vehicle.
Key Insights
- President Trump has labeled violent protests against Tesla dealerships as “domestic terrorism” and vowed to pursue perpetrators.
- Trump demonstrated support for Elon Musk by purchasing a Tesla Model S, which starts at approximately $80,000.
- Activists have targeted Tesla due to Musk’s role in the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and federal workforce reductions.
- Incidents have included vehicles being set on fire, dealerships vandalized, and Tesla owners harassed.
- Tesla shares experienced volatility, dropping significantly before rising nearly 4% after Trump’s statements of support.
Trump Takes Strong Stand Against Tesla Vandalism
President Donald Trump has taken a decisive stance against the growing wave of protests and vandalism targeting Tesla dealerships and vehicles across the country. In a recent statement, Trump announced his administration will classify these destructive acts as domestic terrorism, signaling a significant escalation in the government’s response to the anti-Musk demonstrations. The protests have intensified as activists express anger over Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s involvement in federal workforce reductions and his leadership role in the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
“They’re harming a great American company,” Trump declared firmly. “Let me tell you, you do it to Tesla, and you do it to any company, we’re going to catch you, and … you’re going to go through hell.” The president emphasized that perpetrators have already been identified through surveillance footage, and law enforcement agencies are actively pursuing those responsible for the vandalism. Trump’s strong reaction comes after numerous incidents including Tesla vehicles being set on fire in France and dealerships damaged in multiple U.S. locations.
President Shows Support Through Personal Purchase
In a notable show of solidarity with Musk and the electric vehicle manufacturer, Trump revealed that he has personally purchased a Tesla Model S, which starts at approximately $80,000. This action represents a significant endorsement of the company at a time when it faces not only protests but also market challenges. Tesla shares had experienced a substantial drop after analysts reduced delivery projections for both the first quarter and the full year, before rebounding nearly 4% following Trump’s supportive statements and actions.
“I will do that, I’ll do it, I’m going to stop them,” Trump stated firmly when discussing his plans to address the violence against Tesla. “They’re bad guys. They’re the same guys that screw around with our schools and universities.” – Source
The demonstrations against Tesla have spread across multiple states, with significant protests occurring in Portland, Oregon, and arrests made during demonstrations in New York City. The vandalism has taken various forms, including spray-painted vehicles at a dealership in Dedham and torched charging stations in Littleton. These incidents have occurred against the backdrop of Tesla’s recent corporate decisions, including mass layoffs and spending cuts, which have contributed to the company’s declining stock prices.
Tesla Owners Face Personal Harassment
Beyond attacks on company property, individual Tesla owners have reported being targeted for harassment. Dr. Kumait Jaroje, a Tesla Cybertruck owner, shared his experience of finding a Nazi sticker placed on his vehicle. Initially deterred from driving his Cybertruck due to the harassment, Dr. Jaroje now feels encouraged to continue using it following Trump’s strong stance against the vandalism and intimidation. The incidents have raised serious concerns about the escalation from peaceful protest to destructive actions and personal intimidation.
“When you vandalize people’s property, when you terrorize them for their personal choices this is not acceptable,” said Dr. Jaroje. “That’s not the right way to do it. Express what you think, talk about it, go online, go protest but don’t vandalize, don’t destroy, don’t terrorize.” – Source
The protest movement known as “Tesla Takedown” has responded to Trump’s terrorism designation by asserting they advocate for nonviolent demonstrations and oppose property destruction. A representative from the group emphasized, “Peaceful protest on public property is not domestic terrorism. They are trying to intimidate us. We will not let them succeed.” However, law enforcement continues to investigate the various incidents of vandalism, though no arrests have been reported specifically in connection with the Dedham incident.
Political and Economic Implications
The situation highlights the complex intersection of politics, business, and activism in today’s polarized environment. Musk’s role in the Trump administration has made Tesla a symbolic target for those opposed to the administration’s policies, particularly regarding government workforce reductions and the cancellation of humanitarian program contracts. Despite this backlash, Trump’s public support for Tesla underscores the administration’s commitment to defending American businesses from destructive protest tactics, regardless of the underlying political motivations.
As federal authorities begin classifying these acts as domestic terrorism, the legal consequences for those involved in vandalism against Tesla could become significantly more severe. The designation represents an escalation in the government’s approach to handling politically motivated property destruction and signals that similar actions against other companies might receive the same classification in the future. For Tesla shareholders and employees, the president’s strong backing provides some reassurance amid the company’s recent market volatility and operational challenges.
Sources:
- Trump says attacks on Tesla stores are domestic terrorism
- Tesla vehicles vandalized in Massachusetts, Trump says he will label it “domestic terrorism”
