Tesla is facing a growing wave of violent attacks across the United States, with vandalism, arson, and gunfire targeting its dealerships, charging stations, and vehicles. The incidents come amid rising anger at CEO Elon Musk, whose political stance has polarized public opinion.
Court records reveal that in Loveland, Colorado, a woman named Lucy Grace Nelson was arrested after repeatedly targeting a Tesla dealership over 13 days. Armed with molotov cocktails made from Smirnoff Ice bottles, she set fire to parked Tesla vehicles and defaced the dealership with anti-Musk graffiti, including the word “Nazi” spray-painted near the entrance. She also scrawled an expletive-laden message directed at Musk on the doors.
Similar attacks have been reported nationwide. In Littleton, Massachusetts, Tesla superchargers were torched, while in Maryland, vandals spray-painted anti-Musk slogans on Tesla buildings. In Salem, Oregon, a man armed with an AR-style rifle attacked a Tesla dealership, first hurling molotov cocktails at cars before opening fire, causing an estimated $500,000 in damage.
The surge in violence comes at a turbulent time for Tesla. The company’s stock has plummeted more than 35% since Donald Trump’s inauguration, and Tesla recorded its first annual sales drop in over a decade. In Germany, sales fell by 76% in February compared to the previous year. Once seen as an emblem of environmental consciousness, Tesla has become increasingly associated with far-right politics under Musk’s leadership, alienating some customers and investors.
Ross Gerber, a longtime Tesla investor, warned that the growing backlash could have a chilling effect on potential buyers. "People don’t want to be associated with Elon Musk if it means dealing with vandalism," he said.
This is not the first time Tesla has been targeted. Last year, environmental activists cut power to Tesla’s Berlin factory, claiming responsibility for setting fire to an electricity pylon. Months later, around 800 protesters attempted to storm the facility.
Despite the attacks, Musk and Tesla have remained largely silent. In response to a vandalized supercharger with the word “Nazi” spray-painted on it, a Tesla social media account stated the company "will press charges for vandalism at Superchargers."
Law enforcement agencies across the country are investigating the string of incidents. In Brookline, Massachusetts, a Tesla owner confronted a man who placed a sticker of Musk making a controversial salute on his vehicle. The suspect, who claimed his actions were protected under free speech, has been identified but not arrested.
The attacks on Tesla have escalated beyond vandalism into more serious and potentially life-threatening incidents. In one chilling encounter on Inauguration Day, a Tesla driver charging his vehicle in Salem, Oregon, was forced to flee after an armed suspect began hurling molotov cocktails at nearby cars. The suspect, later identified as Adam Matthew Lansky, pointed his rifle at the fleeing Tesla owner before being apprehended.
Authorities have condemned the attacks, urging people to express their grievances through legal channels. “Whether politically motivated or not, arson and destruction of property are not the way to make a statement,” said Matthew Pinard, police chief of Littleton, Massachusetts.
As Tesla navigates growing financial struggles and public backlash, the escalating violence against the company has raised concerns about security and the increasing polarization surrounding Musk’s public persona.
Source: Washington Post
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