A wave of vandalism and arson targeting Tesla vehicles and showrooms across the United States has been met with surprising silence from many Democratic Party politicians—figures who have previously spoken out strongly against domestic terrorism.
The attacks, which have occurred in at least seven locations from Oregon to Massachusetts, include shootings at buildings, smashing windows in Tesla dealerships, and setting fire to charging stations. Initially driven by protests against Elon Musk and his involvement with X (formerly Twitter), the escalating violence has prompted the FBI to launch an investigation through the Joint Terrorism Task Force.
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi has labeled the attacks on Tesla as “domestic terrorism” and vowed a firm response from the justice system. The Democrats’ silence is particularly striking given their previous commitment to combating domestic terrorism. In 2021, former President Joe Biden’s administration introduced the first-ever National Strategy for Countering Domestic Terrorism, and numerous Democratic lawmakers have supported legislation aimed at strengthening the government’s ability to prevent such acts. Senator Dick Durbin and 10 other senators introduced the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act of 2023, designed to enhance state efforts in this area.
One of the few Democrats who has publicly condemned the vandalism against Tesla is Representative Ro Khanna. In a post on X, he urged his party colleagues to take a clear stance against violence and vandalism.
Republicans responded sharply. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt denounced the “heinous violence” against Tesla and called on Democrats to publicly state their position. Leavitt also pointed out that Democratic support for Tesla and electric vehicles has waned since Elon Musk aligned himself with Donald Trump.
According to reports, Elon Musk has publicly accused George Soros and Reid Hoffman of funding the protests.
Authorities have announced that three individuals have already been charged in connection with Molotov cocktail attacks on Tesla facilities. Attorney General Bondi has promised further investigations and warned that those involved in violent acts will face severe consequences.
Additionally, an interactive online map displaying the personal data of Tesla owners has raised concerns about their safety. One victim, Avi Ben Hamo, has called for hate crime charges against a man who drew a Nazi symbol on his Cybertruck.