Tesla Protests and Vandalism: A Surge of Violence and Political Tensions

In recent weeks, Tesla has become the focal point of a wave of protests, vandalism, and arson attacks across the United States and internationally. These incidents, escalating since early 2025, have drawn the attention of the FBI and sparked intense debates about the motivations behind the attacks. From targeted arson to gunfire and graffiti, the violence has left Tesla facilities and vehicles damaged, raising questions about the intersection of politics, environmental activism, and corporate accountability.

The timeline of events is alarming. On March 18, 2025, a Tesla facility in Las Vegas, Nevada, was attacked by a suspect who set cars on fire, fired gunshots, and painted the word “RESIST” on the storefront windows. This incident, now under FBI investigation, is just one in a series of attacks. Similar acts of vandalism and arson have occurred in Kansas City, Missouri; Tigard, Oregon; and Toulouse, France, among other locations. In Berlin, Germany, a far-left group known as the Volcano Group claimed responsibility for setting a Tesla factory on fire, causing a power outage.

Elon Musk, Tesla’s CEO, has been vocal in his response, calling the attacks “insane and deeply wrong.” He has accused “larger forces” of funding and coordinating the protests, pointing fingers at billionaires like George Soros and Reid Hoffman, as well as Democratic-affiliated organizations. However, Musk has not provided concrete evidence to support these claims. Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump has thrown his support behind Musk, labeling the protesters as “Radical Left Lunatics” and vowing to classify them as domestic terrorists. Trump even held a demonstration at the White House with Musk, showcasing Tesla vehicles and pledging to purchase one himself.

The FBI and the Justice Department have taken these incidents seriously. FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino has announced active investigations into the attacks, while U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has described the vandalism as “domestic terrorism.” Several demonstrators have already been charged, with some facing mandatory five-year sentences.

Amid the chaos, a peaceful protest movement called Tesla Takedown has emerged, led by actor Alex Winter. The movement encourages people to sell their Teslas and join picket lines, emphasizing nonviolent resistance. Winter has defended the movement as “peaceful and grassroots,” pushing back against claims that it is tied to the violent acts.

The financial and operational impact on Tesla has been significant. On March 10, 2025, Tesla’s stock plummeted by over 12%, erasing all gains made since Trump’s election victory. Musk’s net worth dropped by $23 billion in a single day, and SpaceX, another of Musk’s ventures, faced setbacks with a failed Starship test flight.

Internationally, the protests have spread to countries like France and Germany, where Tesla vehicles and factories have been targeted. In London, environmentalist group Just Stop Oil poured orange liquid latex over a Tesla Optimus robot, accusing Musk of harming workers, climate science, and healthcare.

As the investigations continue, the Tesla protests highlight the growing tensions between corporate interests, political ideologies, and environmental activism. Whether these attacks are driven by genuine grievances or larger political agendas remains unclear, but one thing is certain: the fallout from these events will have lasting implications for Tesla and its place in the global conversation.

Key figures like Musk, Trump, and Winter have all weighed in, each offering their perspective on the crisis. As the FBI works to uncover the truth, the world watches to see how this unprecedented wave of violence will shape the future of Tesla and the broader debate over corporate responsibility.

For now, the question remains: who is behind these attacks, and what do they hope to achieve? Only time will tell.