Above photo: X/@michaelden25711.
Amid Musk controversy.
Trump escalates his support for Elon Musk by declaring attacks on Tesla dealerships as domestic terrorism, raising concerns over government overreach and the criminalization of political dissent.
President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that attacks on Tesla dealerships and vehicles would be classified as acts of domestic terrorism, escalating his support for Tesla CEO Elon Musk amid the company’s stock decline and ongoing protests. The declaration follows weeks of demonstrations against Musk’s deepening political ties to the Trump administration, including his role in government restructuring and his controversial far-right rhetoric.
The statement came during a White House event where Trump stood alongside Musk, who had brought several Tesla vehicles for a photo op. Trump praised Musk as “a truly great American” and accused “radical left lunatics” of illegally coordinating against Tesla.
“They’re harming a great American company,” Trump said. “Let me tell you, you do it to Tesla, and you do it to any company, we’re going to catch you, and … you’re going to go through hell.”
Musk, wearing a black “Make America Great Again” baseball cap, did not speak directly on the issue of terrorism charges but reaffirmed his commitment to expanding Tesla’s U.S. production.
The controversy stems from the Tesla Takedown movement, a series of protests targeting Musk for his role in Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and his involvement in federal job cuts, the cancellation of humanitarian aid, and broader right-wing political influence.
Musk’s Nazi-like salute at Trump’s inauguration rally intensified backlash, leading some activists to label Tesla vehicles “Swasticars” and circulate images of Musk superimposed with Adolf Hitler’s outline. One viral social media post read: “When you ride Tesla you ride with Hitler!”
Activists have increasingly targeted Tesla dealerships and vehicles in acts ranging from peaceful demonstrations to vandalism and arson.
• Protesters have spray-painted “Nazi” on Tesla vehicles and set Tesla charging stations on fire.
• A woman threw Molotov cocktails at a Tesla dealership.
• Gunshots were fired at a Tesla showroom, damaging vehicles and breaking windows.
• Tesla owners have attempted to return or sell their vehicles, unwilling to be associated with Musk’s politics.
One Tesla owner, whose grandmother survived the Holocaust, told The Guardian:
“I’m selling the Nazi mobile.”
Another Tesla owner stated:
“I no longer enjoyed sitting in my Tesla.”
Trump has strongly aligned himself with Musk in recent weeks, making a show of purchasing a Tesla Model S during the White House event.
“I’m going to buy a brand new Tesla tomorrow morning as a show of confidence and support for Elon Musk,” Trump declared on Truth Social.
Musk’s growing political influence includes his leadership of DOGE, an initiative overseeing massive federal workforce reductions and budget cuts. His proposals have included drastic cuts to Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare—policies that have sparked nationwide controversy.
Critics argue that Musk’s corporate power is now deeply entangled with the federal government, raising concerns about corporate-backed authoritarianism.
In his White House remarks, Trump vowed to aggressively prosecute those responsible for damaging Tesla dealerships and vehicles, stating:
“Let me tell you, you do it to Tesla, and you do it to any company, we’re going to catch you, and … you’re going to go through hell.”
White House spokesperson Harrison Fields reinforced the administration’s position:
“Ongoing and heinous acts of violence against Tesla by radical Leftist activists are nothing short of domestic terror.”
Trump’s declaration signals the administration’s willingness to expand federal terrorism laws to prosecute political protesters.
Legal scholars have raised concerns over Trump’s move to classify Tesla vandalism as domestic terrorism. Federal law defines terrorism as violence intended to intimidate or coerce a government or civilian population to advance political objectives.
“Defendants would likely argue that vandalizing a car dealership does not meet the federal government’s definition of terrorism,” legal analysts told Reuters.
The move could set a dangerous precedent by criminalizing political protests under terrorism statutes, giving the government broad power to suppress dissent.
Tesla’s stock has plummeted nearly 50% over the past three months, driven by:
• Declining vehicle sales.
• Investor concerns over Musk’s political entanglements.
• Consumer boycotts following Musk’s extremist rhetoric.
Musk’s DOGE leadership has only fueled Tesla’s downward trajectory, as concerns mount over potential conflicts of interest between his government role and his business empire.
After Tesla’s worst trading day since 2020, Musk lost $18.8 billion in net worth.
“Tesla has dipped below the amount it was on election day. We must keep going till it is worthless,” civil rights attorney Alejandra Caraballo posted on Bluesky.
Musk responded by pledging to double U.S. vehicle production, stating at the White House event:
“As a function of the great policies of President Trump and his administration and an act of faith in America, Tesla is going to double vehicle output in the United States within the next two years.”
Trump’s aggressive stance against Tesla protesters follows broader efforts to criminalize left-wing activism:
• The administration has reintroduced a bill to designate Antifa as a domestic terror organization.
• The FBI under Kash Patel has shifted focus from right-wing extremism to leftist activists and Black Lives Matter.
• Trump has threatened to prosecute 2020 protesters who were released without charges.
Free speech advocates warn that Trump’s domestic terrorism declaration could be a test case for broader repression.
A group organizing Tesla Takedown protests rejected Trump’s claim that they were engaging in terrorism, stating:
“Peaceful protest on public property is not domestic terrorism. They are trying to intimidate us. We will not let them succeed.”
What comes next?
• Legal battles over Trump’s terrorism charges: Courts may challenge the administration’s attempt to prosecute Tesla vandals under terrorism laws.
• Musk and Tesla’s continued financial struggles: If public sentiment against Musk worsens, Tesla’s declining stock could threaten its long-term stability.
• The future of political protest in America: Activists fear that Trump’s aggressive crackdown on leftist demonstrations will continue to escalate.
New York Attorney General Letitia James said she was “extremely concerned” and is monitoring the situation closely.
Civil rights groups warn that Trump’s next move could be broadening the definition of terrorism to target all left-wing dissent.
“This is how fascism works and the only defense is to refuse to be divided or silenced,” Jewish Voice for Peace stated.