As protests against Tesla CEO Elon Musk continue, the White House has intervened to protect Tesla and its properties. Attorney General Pam Bondi warned against targeting Tesla dealerships, while President Donald Trump vowed to pursue violent protestors aggressively.
Elon Musk, the richest individual globally and leader of companies like X (formerly Twitter) and SpaceX, has faced criticism due to his involvement in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). DOGE has been controversial, facing numerous lawsuits and being linked to significant government changes.
The backlash has affected Tesla significantly, with first-quarter sales projections declining, a 39% drop in stock value in 2025, and exclusion from major auto shows. Nonviolent protests organized by groups like Indivisible have been accompanied by vandalism against Tesla properties, including electric vehicles, dealerships, and Superchargers.
Recent incidents include shootings at a Tesla dealership in Portland, Oregon, and arson at a Tesla collision center in Las Vegas. Authorities labeled these acts as potential domestic terrorism, prompting investigations by the Justice Department. Several individuals allegedly involved in these attacks face charges with mandatory minimum sentences.
Musk claimed, without evidence, that anti-Tesla protests are funded by Democratic megadonors. Congressional Republicans have called for investigations into the funding and coordination of these protests.
— news from Quartz
