Law enforcement agencies across the United States are investigating a series of attacks targeting Tesla showrooms, charging stations, and vehicles as hostility toward CEO Elon Musk intensifies.
In addition to these attacks, numerous peaceful protests have taken place at Tesla locations, with demonstrators holding signs and chanting, “Elon Musk has got to go.” The protests stem from public outrage over Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, which has overseen federal job and budget cuts.
While these demonstrations have remained nonviolent, widespread incidents of vandalism have been reported. No injuries have been linked to the attacks, but they present a financial challenge for Tesla.
The company is experiencing its first-ever decline in sales, driven by increased competition and growing backlash against Musk’s controversial role in the Trump administration.
One such incident occurred on March 3, when seven charging stations at a mall outside Boston were set on fire shortly after 1 a.m. local time.
On Thursday, police in the Portland, Oregon, area responded to reports of gunfire at a Tesla showroom at approximately 1:45 a.m. local time. Investigators confirmed that at least seven shots had been fired, damaging three vehicles and shattering windows. One of the bullets penetrated an office wall and struck a computer monitor.
“While the motivation for this has not been confirmed, we are aware that other Tesla dealerships have been targeted across Oregon and the nation for political reasons,” Tigard, Oregon, police stated.
Lucy Grace Nelson, a Colorado resident, faces a federal charge of malicious destruction of property for allegedly vandalizing a Tesla dealership in Loveland, Colorado, in January and February.
According to police reports, Nelson spray-painted words such as “Nazi” on Tesla vehicles and dealership windows. She also threw Molotov cocktails during one of the incidents. Authorities arrested her near the dealership on February 24, where they discovered additional Molotov cocktails inside her vehicle. If convicted, Nelson could face a prison sentence of up to 20 years.
Tesla Faces ProtestsSocial media users have also shared numerous complaints about vandalized Tesla vehicles. In Brookline, Massachusetts, police posted a video on X featuring an individual who justified defacing a Tesla as an act of “free speech.”
Musk, a self-described free speech absolutist and the largest shareholder of Tesla, reposted the video with the comment: “Damaging the property of others, aka vandalism, is not free speech!”
Similarly, when a user uploaded a photo of “Nazi” spray-painted on a Tesla charging station, the X account for Tesla Charging responded: “We will press charges for vandalism at superchargers.”
Tesla has not issued a public statement addressing the various attacks or protests.
On Sunday, Musk posted on X: “Heartfelt thanks to everyone supporting Tesla, despite many attacks against our stores and offices.”
The ongoing attacks may discourage potential Tesla buyers who, while not necessarily opposed to Musk’s political views, could fear their vehicle becoming a target, said Gordon Johnson, founder of GLJ Research. Johnson, a longtime Tesla stock critic, pointed out that consumers may be reluctant to invest in a car that risks being vandalized.
Tesla recently reported its first-ever annual sales decline, and signs suggest another drop this quarter. While electric vehicle sales in Europe surged by 34% in January, Tesla’s sales in the region plummeted by 50%. In China, Tesla’s second-largest market after the U.S., sales fell 29% in the first two months of the year, according to Reuters.
Meanwhile, U.S. Tesla sales declined 16% between December and January, according to estimates.
The slump in sales has negatively impacted Tesla’s stock value. Following Election Day, Tesla shares had surged 91%, peaking just before Christmas as investors speculated that Musk and his electric vehicle company would benefit significantly from Donald Trump’s second term.
However, those gains—and more—have since been erased. On Monday, Tesla shares fell approximately 14% in midday trading and are now down 10% from their closing price on Election Day.
