A wave of vandalism and arson attacks targeting Tesla dealerships and vehicles across the United States has escalated tensions, with over 20 incidents reported since January 2025, driven by protests against Elon Musk’s influence in the Trump administration. From Molotov cocktails in Oregon to spray-painted charging stations in South Carolina, these acts, labeled “domestic terrorism” by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, have caused millions in damages and raised concerns about political extremism, according to BBC.com. As Musk’s role in government efficiency and his vocal support for Trump draw ire, Tesla owners and dealerships are caught in the crossfire, facing a growing backlash.
The attacks began on January 20, 2025, when a Tesla dealership in Salem, Oregon, was hit with Molotov cocktails and gunfire, causing $500,000 in damages, according to CSIS.org. On March 3, seven Tesla charging stations were set ablaze at a shopping center outside Boston, followed by gunfire at a Tigard, Oregon, dealership on March 6 and 13, damaging vehicles and buildings, as reported by CSIS.org. In North Charleston, South Carolina, 24-year-old Daniel Clarke-Pounder was charged with arson on March 21 after allegedly throwing Molotov cocktails at charging stations and spray-painting the area, according to BBC.com. Bondi stated, “The days of committing crimes without consequence have ended,” warning of up to 20 years in prison for the perpetrators.
The motives appear tied to Musk’s political involvement, particularly his role in Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which he recently stepped down from, and his vocal support for conservative policies, according to CSIS.org. Many attacks, resembling past left-wing movements like environmental extremism in the 1990s, deliberately avoid human casualties, focusing on property destruction, with no occupied vehicles targeted, as noted in CSIS.org. However, the impact is severe, with Tesla reporting $10 million in damages nationwide, according to company estimates. A Dallas-Fort Worth airport incident saw a Tesla owner file a $1 million civil lawsuit after their car was keyed, reflecting growing frustration among owners, as reported by Teslarati.com.
Public reaction has been mixed. Some on X, with #TeslaAttacks trending at 800,000 impressions, condemn the violence, while others express sympathy for the protesters’ anti-Musk sentiment, citing his influence over Trump as a threat to progressive values. Chief Hodges of Dallas-Fort Worth police called out leaders spreading “hateful narratives” about Musk, urging, “People should be able to drive whatever car they want without fear,” in a statement to Teslarati.com. Meanwhile, Minnesota politician Tim Walz’s 2025 comment that he “gets a boost” when Tesla stock falls has fueled accusations of political incitement, according to Teslarati.com.
The attacks have broader implications, with Trump and Musk labeling them domestic terrorism, and supporters of the administration facing “swatting” incidents, as reported by BBC.com. Tesla has ramped up security at dealerships, adding 24/7 surveillance and armed guards, according to company statements. As the protests continue, the line between activism and extremism blurs, leaving Tesla—and its customers—navigating a volatile landscape shaped by political division and Musk’s polarizing presence.