A wave of attacks on Tesla owners, dealerships, and charging stations has been spreading across the U.S. and even overseas, and officials are calling it a serious threat. Since Elon Musk took on a government role aimed at cutting spending, the incidents have escalated, raising concerns about who is behind them and why they are happening.
Attorney General Pam Bondi didn’t hold back in her statement on Tuesday, March 18, calling these acts “nothing short of domestic terrorism.” She made it clear that authorities are determined to find and punish those responsible, including anyone funding or organizing these attacks from the shadows.
The timing of these crimes is notable, as Musk’s efforts to slash government expenses have led to the elimination of thousands of federal jobs. Tesla, a company Musk has led since the early days, previously received millions in government loans under past administrations, but now finds itself at the center of a growing wave of backlash.
Musk himself spoke out on social media, calling the attacks “insane and deeply wrong.” He defended Tesla, emphasizing that the company simply makes electric cars and does not deserve to be targeted in this way.
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Theresa Ramsdell, who leads the Tesla Owners of Washington group, echoed that sentiment in an interview with CBS News. While she acknowledged that people are free to have strong opinions about Musk and former President Donald Trump, she insisted that destroying property and setting cars on fire is not the way to express them.
The list of recent attacks is long and spans multiple states:
- Loveland, Colorado: Two people were arrested for a series of attacks on a Tesla dealership. One suspect allegedly threw an incendiary device at the building, while another spray-painted “Nazi cars” on its walls. Police found Molotov cocktails and gasoline in their vehicle.
- South Carolina: A man was charged with arson after allegedly throwing Molotov cocktails at a Tesla charging station near Charleston. Graffiti at the scene included profanity aimed at Trump and messages in support of Ukraine. Authorities also found a letter criticizing the government.
- Buffalo Grove, Illinois: A Tesla service center was vandalized on March 14, with graffiti-filled messages targeting both Trump and Musk. A suspect was arrested and charged with felony property damage and trespassing.
- Kansas City: FBI and ATF agents launched an investigation after several Tesla Cybertrucks were set on fire at a dealership. Federal agencies believe this attack may be linked to similar crimes in other states.
- Oregon, Seattle, and Las Vegas: Several other Tesla dealerships have been hit by vandalism and arson. In Las Vegas, a masked suspect was caught on video throwing Molotov cocktails at cars and spray-painting the word “resist” on the building’s front door. The suspect even fired several gunshots into Tesla vehicles.
Authorities at both state and federal levels are working together to track down those responsible. At a news briefing, FBI Special Agent Spencer Evans said these incidents “have some of the hallmarks” of terrorist acts, and local officials in Las Vegas said they are treating the attacks as isolated events for now.
While investigators search for answers, the message from officials is clear: violence and destruction won’t be tolerated, no matter the motive.
