President Donald Trump has declared his intention to designate violence against Tesla properties as “domestic terrorism,” reaffirming his alliance with Elon Musk. This announcement follows weeks of demonstrations, dubbed “Tesla Takedown,” which was sparked by Musk’s prominent role in the Trump administration and his leadership of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Across the United States and globally, Tesla dealerships have become focal points for protests, with participants decrying what they perceive as a hostile takeover of governmental functions by Musk and DOGE.
These demonstrations have, in some instances, escalated beyond peaceful assembly to include acts of vandalism such as graffiti, arson targeting charging stations, and the use of Molotov cocktails. One particular incident involved the arrest of Lucy Grace Nelson in Northern Colorado, who allegedly caused between $5,000 and $20,000 in damage to a Tesla dealership, including spray-painting “Nazi” under the dealership’s entrance sign and starting small fires with Molotov cocktails.
The unrest unfolds against a backdrop of financial strain for Tesla, with its market capitalisation having plunged by more than 50% since December, effectively erasing the gains made following Musk’s financial support for Trump’s electoral campaign. This decline is attributed to a combination of factors, including decreasing vehicle sales and profits, investor apprehension over Musk’s political engagements, and the “Tesla Takedown” protests.
Trump has voiced his support for Musk, praising him for “putting it on the line” for the nation and doing a “fantastic” job. He also declared his intention to acquire a new Tesla vehicle to demonstrate his confidence in, and support for, Musk. Musk has expressed his gratitude to the president for the endorsement on his social media platform, X.
The “Tesla Takedown” movement, which has seen over 100 protests take place outside of Tesla locations, is gaining momentum globally. It aims to pressure Musk by encouraging people to boycott Tesla products, divest from the company, and challenge Musk’s influence. The protests are part of a larger movement opposing federal job cuts.
Under federal law, acts targeting company property could be classified as domestic terrorism if the intent is to intimidate or coerce a civilian population or influence government policy through violence.
Critics highlight the potential risk of peaceful protesters being unfairly labelled as violent and worry about the implications for freedom of expression. The turmoil within DOGE is spilling into public view as Musk’s group confronts a PR crisis.
DOGE is attempting to highlight its achievements, such as cost savings and modernisation of federal services, and Musk has shown interest in the concept of a “DOGE dividend,” which would allocate a portion of the savings generated through budget cuts to provide checks to American taxpayers.