US: Vandalism spree hits Tesla, linking back to Musk’s federal appointment

At least 10 acts of vandalism targeting Tesla vehicles, dealerships, and charging stations have been reported in recent weeks in US, according to police and local sources. 

These incidents highlight a growing backlash against Elon Musk since his appointment to a prominent federal government role, Caliber.Az reports via US media.

On January 29, a 40-year-old woman named Lucy Grace Nelson threw a Molotov cocktail at a Cybertruck parked at a dealership in Loveland, Colorado. Nelson allegedly returned to the site multiple times, causing further damage by throwing more Molotov cocktails, attempting to set the dealership alight, and spray-painting “nazi cars” on the building.

She was arrested last week. Musk has faced accusations of supporting antisemitic views and making inflammatory comments regarding victims of Nazism.

In the Boston area, over a half-dozen Tesla charging stations were set on fire, while in Tigard, Oregon, police reported gunfire at a local Tesla dealership, damaging cars and windows. No injuries were reported in any of these incidents.

Loveland Police Chief Tim Doran said his department had never witnessed such repeated acts of violence against a single business in the area. He condemned the attacks as a dangerous and inappropriate way of making a statement, stressing the risks to public safety.

The string of attacks coincides with Musk's recent appointment by former President Donald Trump to head the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an agency responsible for reducing the federal workforce and government programs. This controversial move, combined with Musk’s dual roles at companies like SpaceX, Neuralink, and Tesla, has led to concerns over potential conflicts of interest.

Critics argue that Musk’s political ventures may harm his business interests. Recent reports show a sharp decline in Tesla’s sales, with new vehicle registrations in Europe dropping 45% year-on-year.

Musk’s personal fortune has also been hit, with his net worth decreasing by more than $100 billion, or roughly 25%, since mid-December, partly due to a sell-off of Tesla shares. As of March 8, Tesla shares had fallen by over 30% since the beginning of the year. Some analysts, such as Michael Morris from Columbia Business School, predict that Musk may be forced to step down from his government role if the backlash continues to impact his businesses.

Further incidents occurred at the same Loveland dealership, which was set on fire again last March 7. Police suggested that a copycat may have been inspired by Nelson's actions. Meanwhile, in New York City, nine protesters were arrested after demonstrating inside a Tesla showroom on March 8.  

The ongoing vandalism against Tesla’s facilities shows no sign of slowing down, as Musk's involvement in politics and his public persona continue to attract both criticism and unrest.

By Aghakazim Guliyev