Musk's tryst with politcs & Trump makes Tesla the prime target of dissenters

As Tesla CEO Elon Musk tries to enhance his political influence in US President Donald Trump’s administration, the electric carmaker facilities have come under fire from people who are angered by the billionaire’s tactics. According to NBC News, there have been at least 10 acts of vandalism against Tesla cars, dealerships or charging stations in recent weeks.

The acts underscore the backlash Musk is facing over his unprecedented role in the federal government and how he managed to drastically cut the federal workforce in a short period. On January 29, a little over a week after Trump and his ‘First Buddy’ Musk assumed their respective offices, a 40-year-old woman threw a Molotov cocktail at a Cybertruck parked at a dealership in Loveland, Colorado.

The woman, named Lucy Grace Nelson, allegedly returned to the dealership four more times in recent weeks to cause the same ruckus. According to Loveland police, she hurled more Molotov cocktails, attempted to set the dealership ablaze and spray painted the word “nazi cars” on the building before ultimately being arrested last week. On Saturday, New York City police arrested nine protesters who demonstrated inside a Tesla showroom.

BREAKING: HUNDREDS of New Yorkers have swarmed and shut down the Tesla dealer in Manhattan. Six have been arrested after occupying the showroom. Protests are erupting across America to reject Musk's billionaire regime. This is how we beat fascism.

Mass direct action. pic.twitter.com/jTQ4yxlpOd

— Planet Over Profit (@pop4climate) March 8, 2025

Elon Musk reacts

It is pertinent to note that these incidents are taking place at a time when Musk has been accused of supporting antisemitic claims and insulting victims of Nazism. He received backlash after he appeared to perform a ‘ Nazi salute’ during President Trump’s inauguration parade. Another incident took place near Boston on Monday in which police said more than a half-dozen Tesla charging stations were intentionally set on fire.

Meanwhile, on the West Coast, on Thursday, at least seven shots were fired at a Tesla dealership in Tigard, Oregon, damaging three cars and shattering windows. No injuries were reported in any of these incidents. Tesla has yet to comment on the matter. However, in response to a video showing a man vandalizing Teslas, posted by authorities in Maryland, Musk replied: “Damaging the property of others, aka vandalism, is not free speech!”

Damaging the property of others, aka vandalism, is not free speech!

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 4, 2025

Musk has been facing backlash after Trump tapped him to lead the Department of Government Efficiency ( DOGE). In the span of a few weeks, the department has been responsible for slashing the federal workforce and government programs at an unprecedented pace. Interestingly, the attacks at Tesla dealerships also coincide with a decline in sales for the electric carmaker.

According to NBC News, recent data show increasing sales growth of electric-battery vehicles in Europe, but new Tesla vehicle registrations in Europe are down 45% year-on-year for January and down in China. Musk’s foray into politics has also affected his fortune. In December last year, the tech titan’s net worth dropped more than $100 billion, or approximately 25 per cent, which was fueled by a sell-off of Tesla shares. As of Saturday, Tesla shares were down more than 30 per cent since the start of the year.