2025 Tesla vandalism
{{short description|Vandalism of Tesla vehicles and property}}
{{for|the peaceful protests in 2025 against Tesla|Tesla Takedown}}
File:Burn More Teslas.jpg{{Elon Musk series|expanded=Related}}
Beginning in early 2025, there has been an increased number of incidents of vandalism targeting Tesla property, including vehicles, dealerships, and charging stations. The incidents have been part of a larger wave of protests against Elon Musk, Tesla's owner and a key figure of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The majority of incidents have occurred in the United States, and have also been reported in Canada, France, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Attorney General Pam Bondi have labeled the vandalism as domestic terrorism and President Donald Trump suggested the perpetrators be sent to prison in El Salvador. Although Musk has suggested that the vandalism is funded and coordinated, the FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives said they could not find any evidence that attacks have been coordinated.
Incidents
{{See also|Protests against Elon Musk}}
= United States =
== Midwest ==
A woman was arrested for spray-painting a Tesla dealership in Buffalo Grove, Illinois.{{cite web |last1=Vitello |first1=Barbara |date=March 19, 2025 |title='Stay away': Judge orders accused Tesla vandal to keep off company's property |url=https://www.dailyherald.com/20250319/news/stay-away-judge-orders-accused-tesla-vandal-to-stay-off-companys-property/ |access-date=March 23, 2025 |website=Daily Herald}} A Tesla owner in Wichita, Kansas, reported a man keying her vehicle outside a restaurant.{{cite web |last1=O'Brien |first1=Lily |date=March 22, 2025 |title=Family speaks out after Tesla vandalized at Wichita restaurant |url=https://www.kake.com/home/family-speaks-out-after-tesla-vandalized-at-wichita-restaurant/article_8dc3e172-c88b-4895-846d-68a0679f8556.html |access-date=March 23, 2025 |website=KAKE}} Several Cybertrucks were set on fire at a dealership in Kansas City, Missouri.{{cite web |last1=Calfee |first1=Kendrick |date=March 18, 2025 |title=Fire burns Tesla Cybertrucks at Kansas City dealership. Police say it may have been arson |url=https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article302275394.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250318150849/https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article302275394.html |archive-date=March 18, 2025 |website=The Kansas City Star}} In Bloomington, Minnesota, a woman was filmed keying a Tesla in a parking lot. Authorities decided not to move forward with criminal charges after the woman turned herself in and agreed to pay for damages.{{cite web |last1=Wermus |first1=Katie |title=Bloomington Tesla vandalism suspect not facing charges: Police |url=https://www.fox9.com/news/bloomington-tesla-vandalism-suspect-no-charges |website=FOX 9 |access-date=April 6, 2025 |date=April 4, 2025}} A Tesla was also keyed in West Fargo, North Dakota, and a suspect was arrested.{{cite web |last1=Nguyen |first1=Renee |last2=Kramer |first2=Ethan |title=Charges filed after Tesla vandalized in West Fargo Costco parking lot |url=https://www.valleynewslive.com/2025/03/31/arrest-made-after-tesla-vandalized-west-fargo-costco-parking-lot/ |website=Valley News Live |access-date=April 6, 2025 |date=March 31, 2025}}
In west Michigan, a Cybertruck owner reported someone spray-painted "FUCK OFF NAZI" on the side of his vehicle in early March.{{cite web |last1=Scarlett |first1=Emily |title=Cybertruck owner speaks out after his vehicle is vandalized |url=https://www.wzzm13.com/article/news/local/tesla-cybertruck-vandalized-grand-rapids/69-9537dfce-1647-46b8-8889-ff279f6681f5 |website=CBS 13 |access-date=April 6, 2025 |date=April 6, 2025}} In Kentwood, five Cybertrucks were vandalized on March 10, with one having the words "Nazis always lose" spray-painted on the side.{{cite web |last1=Mack |first1=Riley |title='Nazis always lose' {{!}} 5 Tesla Cybertrucks damaged, police need your help identifying 2 people of interest |url=https://www.wzzm13.com/article/news/local/nazis-always-lose-tesla-cybertrucks-damaged-kentwood-police/69-f7c0e4be-e3ae-47cb-9a30-b1fb059b3531 |website=CBS 13 |access-date=April 6, 2025 |date=April 2, 2025}}
== Northeast ==
Several Tesla chargers were set on fire outside a shopping center in Littleton, Massachusetts, on March 3.{{cite web |last1=Rochom |first1=Kayla |date=March 3, 2025 |title=Littleton Police Investigating Suspicious Fire at Tesla Charging Station |url=https://littletonps.com/2025/03/03/littleton-police-investigating-suspicious-fire-at-tesla-charging-station/ |access-date=March 23, 2025 |website=Littleton Police Department}} In a Dedham dealership, two Cybertrucks were spray-painted, and a Model S had all of its tires punctured. The same dealership had been targeted by vandalism on February 26.{{cite web |last1=Fortier |first1=Marc |last2=Pescaro |first2=Mike |date=March 11, 2025 |title=Vehicles damaged at Tesla dealership in Dedham; investigation underway |url=https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/vehicles-damaged-at-tesla-dealership-in-dedham-investigation-underway/3654473/ |access-date=March 23, 2025 |website=NBC Boston}} In Brookline, a man was arrested for allegedly placing Elon Musk-related stickers on Teslas.{{cite web |last1=Hall |first1=Logan |date=March 6, 2025 |title=Man accused of vandalizing Teslas in Massachusetts arrested |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/tesla-elon-musk-stickers-vandalism-massachusetts/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250317025537/https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/tesla-elon-musk-stickers-vandalism-massachusetts/ |archive-date=March 17, 2025 |access-date=March 23, 2025 |website=CBS News Boston}}
A Tesla owner in Syracuse, New York, reported an unidentified person wrote "This car supports Nazis" on his car while he was in a theater.{{cite web |last1=Robinson Jr. |first1=Gary |date=March 21, 2025 |title=Tesla owner speaks out after vehicle vandalized in downtown Syracuse |url=https://cnycentral.com/news/local/local-tesla-owners-car-vandalized-in-downtown-syracuse-family-sharpie-mamma-mia-property-protest |access-date=March 23, 2025 |website=CNY Central}} On March 6, two men in New York City spray-painted swastikas on a Cybertruck in Lower Manhattan. The New York City Police Department said they were investigating the vandalism as a hate crime.{{cite web |last1=Jacobson |first1=Roni |date=March 22, 2025 |title=Red swastika sprayed on Tesla Cybertruck in Manhattan is investigated as hate crime: NYPD |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/2025/03/21/red-swastika-sprayed-tesla-cybertruck-manhattan-investigated-hate-crime-nypd/ |access-date=March 24, 2025 |website=The New York Daily News}}
In Pennsylvania on March 23, a Tesla Cybertruck was vandalized while parked outside a restaurant in Newtown Township, Bucks County by an apparent juvenile who dragged something along the side of it, leaving a mark.{{cite web |last1=McCormick |first1=Annie |date=March 24, 2025 |title=Cybertruck vandalized as owner ate inside Newtown Twp., Bucks County restaurant |url=https://6abc.com/post/tesla-vandalism-cybertruck-vandalized-owner-ate-inside-newtown-twp-bucks-county-restaurant/16077043/ |access-date=March 25, 2025 |website=ABC 6}}
== South ==
A Tesla dealership in Owings Mills, Maryland, was spray-painted on March 2, the day after a protest was held outside the same dealership.{{cite web |last1=Thompson |first1=Adam |date=March 2, 2025 |title=Graffiti found at Baltimore County Tesla dealership after protest sparks investigation |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/baltimore/news/vandalism-graffiti-elon-musk-owings-mills-maryland-trump-protest/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250321014548/https://www.cbsnews.com/baltimore/news/vandalism-graffiti-elon-musk-owings-mills-maryland-trump-protest/ |archive-date=March 21, 2025 |access-date=March 23, 2025 |website=CBS News}} In Washington, D.C., police said they were looking for a man and woman who had graffitied at least two Teslas with unspecified "political hate speech".{{cite web |last1=Rosenthal |first1=Sophie |date=March 25, 2025 |title=Vandalized Teslas being investigated as hate/bias crimes by DC Police |url=https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/crime/tesla-vandalism-being-investigated-hate-bias-motivation/65-c922fc9e-5373-4c3a-8b68-0b9c66ef0c38 |access-date=March 25, 2025 |website=WUSA 9}} The word "NAZI" was found etched on the side of a Tesla in Garner, North Carolina.{{cite web |date=March 23, 2025 |title=Garner man says Tesla electric car vandalized as unrest, vandalisms against Musk company grows |url=https://www.wral.com/news/local/garner-tesla-vandalism-amid-musk-unrest-march-2025/ |access-date=March 24, 2025 |website=WRAL}} Police in Tulsa, Oklahoma reported that a masked individual spray-painted the word "NAZI" on the side of a Cybertruck.{{cite web |last1=Johnson |first1=Drake |date=March 20, 2025 |title=Tesla vandalized with spray paint at Tulsa apartment complex: Suspect caught on camera |url=https://www.newson6.com/story/67dc7071527cdb2ccb6838f0/tesla-vandalized-with-spray-paint-at-tulsa-apartment-complex-police-searching-for-suspect |access-date=March 24, 2025 |website=News on 6}}
In North Charleston, South Carolina, federal authorities charged a man with arson after he allegedly set Tesla chargers on fire with Molotov cocktails. The suspect is also accused of spray-painting "Fuck Trump, long live Ukraine" next to the chargers.{{cite web |last1=Brams |first1=Sophie |date=March 17, 2025 |title=Man accused of burning Tesla chargers in North Charleston granted bond |url=https://www.counton2.com/news/local-news/man-accused-of-burning-tesla-chargers-in-north-charleston-granted-bond/ |access-date=March 23, 2025 |website=Count on 2}} On March 24, Austin Police Department responded to calls of suspicious devices found in the local Tesla showroom, the Austin Bomb Squad determined the devices to be incendiary devices .{{Cite news |last=Gabbatt |first=Adam |date=2025-03-24 |title=Incendiary devices found at Texas Tesla dealership amid growing protests |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/24/tesla-austin-bomb-squad |access-date=2025-03-24 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} {{Cite web |date=March 24, 2025 |title=Tesla showroom targeted with 'incendiary devices' in latest attack on Musk's company |url=https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/crime/tesla-bomb-squad-elon-musk-texas-b2720740.html |website=The Independent}} On March 25, a man in Texarkana, Texas was arrested and charged with a felony for vandalizing several Teslas. Video from one of the cars appeared to show the suspect driving a mini four-wheeler into the side of a Tesla parked outside a restaurant.{{cite web |last1=Parr |first1=Julie |date=March 26, 2025 |title=Texarkana man accused of running mini 4-wheeler into Teslas |url=https://www.ktbs.com/news/texarkana/texarkana-man-accused-of-running-mini-4-wheeler-into-teslas/article_e90d4b93-0e21-4e5e-8de3-0c37564d9f9f.html#comments |access-date=March 26, 2025 |website=KTBS}}
On March 29, a woman in Aventura, Florida was arrested and charged with felony criminal mischief for sticking a wad of gum to the door handle of a Tesla, an event which the vehicle's owner characterized as a result of "unfortunately, a divide in our country where certain views that are not accepted by a subset".{{Cite web |last=Gothner |first=Rosh Lowe, Chris |date=2025-03-28 |title=Woman faces felony for Tesla bubble gum vandalism, cops say |url=https://www.local10.com/news/local/2025/03/28/woman-faces-felony-for-tesla-bubble-gum-vandalism-cops-say/ |access-date=2025-03-31 |website=WPLG |language=en}}
== West ==
On March 22, a man in Berkeley, California, was arrested for firing a stun gun at protesters. No injuries were reported. The suspect, who demonstrators said had attempted to disrupt several earlier protests, was grabbed by protesters before officers arrested him.{{cite web |last1=Dinkelspiel |first1=Frances |date=March 22, 2025 |title=Berkeley Trump supporter arrested after firing stun gun at crowd of Tesla protesters |url=https://www.berkeleyside.org/2025/03/22/berkeley-trump-supporter-tesla-protest-fourth-street-arrest |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250323010043/https://www.berkeleyside.org/2025/03/22/berkeley-trump-supporter-tesla-protest-fourth-street-arrest |archive-date=March 23, 2025 |access-date=March 25, 2025 |website=Berkeleyside}} On April 6, a man slashed the tire of a Tesla parked outside a grocery store in Clovis.{{cite web |last1=Hawkins |first1=Stephen |title=Tesla vandal caught on camera slashing tire in Clovis |url=https://kmph.com/news/local/tesla-vandal-caught-on-camera-stabbing-tire-in-clovis |website=FOX 26 |access-date=April 7, 2025 |date=April 7, 2025}}
In San Jose, California, police arrested a man who was seen on video keying a Tesla.{{cite web |last1=Moran |first1=Jocelyn |date=March 18, 2025 |title=San Jose police arrest man in viral Tesla vandalism video |url=https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/police-arrest-man-viral-tesla-vandalism-video-san-jose/3822546/ |access-date=March 23, 2025 |website=NBC Bay Area}} A dealership and several vehicles in Encinitas were spray-painted with swastikas.{{cite web |date=March 18, 2025 |title=Encinitas Tesla dealership defaced by spray-painted swastikas, profanity |url=https://www.10news.com/news/local-news/encinitas-tesla-dealership-defaced-by-spray-painted-swastikas-profanity |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250318182236/https://www.10news.com/news/local-news/encinitas-tesla-dealership-defaced-by-spray-painted-swastikas-profanity |archive-date=March 18, 2025 |access-date=March 23, 2025 |website=ABC 10}} In Vista, a person reportedly broke the side-view mirror of a Tesla parked in a driveway.{{cite web |last1=Chen |first1=Michael |date=March 22, 2025 |title=Tesla Model 3 vandalized outside Vista home |url=https://www.10news.com/news/local-news/tesla-model-3-vandalized-outside-vista-home |access-date=March 23, 2025 |website=ABC 10}} In Berkeley, a person was filmed spray-painting a Tesla in a Whole Foods Market parking lot.{{cite web |last1=Lim |first1=Dion |date=March 26, 2025 |title=EXCLUSIVE: Video shows vandal spray-painting East Bay man's Tesla |url=https://abc7news.com/post/exclusive-video-shows-vandal-spray-painting-east-bay-mans-tesla-amid-uptick-incidents-elon-musks-company/16081705/ |access-date=March 26, 2025 |website=ABC 7}} On March 29, a Cybertruck parked outside a home in Novato was vandalized, with a suspect slitting the tires and throwing a rock at the windshield.{{cite web |last1=Medina |first1=Madilynne |date=March 30, 2025 |title=Tesla Cybertruck vandalism caught on surveillance footage at Bay Area home |url=https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/tesla-cybertruck-vandalism-caught-surveillance-20248689.php |access-date=March 30, 2025 |website=SFGate}}
One person was arrested after a molotov cocktail was thrown at a Tesla dealership in Loveland, Colorado, on March 7. A second person had been charged with vandalizing the same dealership earlier in the month, though a police said the incidents appeared to be unrelated.{{cite web |last1=Powell |first1=Rebecca |date=March 14, 2025 |title=2nd arrest made following vandalism, damage at Loveland Tesla dealership |url=https://www.coloradoan.com/story/news/2025/03/14/vandalism-at-loveland-colorado-tesla-dealership-leads-to-another-arrest/82415599007/ |access-date=March 23, 2025 |website=Coloradoan}} Police in Colorado Springs said they had responded to two reports of Tesla vehicles being vandalized in 2025.{{cite web |last1=Dean |first1=Jared |date=March 18, 2025 |title='I'm always concerned': Tesla owners react to vandalism in Colorado Springs |url=https://www.kktv.com/2025/03/18/im-always-concerned-tesla-owners-react-vandalism-colorado-springs/ |access-date=March 24, 2025 |website=KKTV}}
Sometime on the night of April 2 and 3, 16 Cybertrucks and a dealership were spray-painted in Meridian, Idaho.{{cite web |last1=Rodriguez |first1=Richard |title=Meridian Police investigating vandalism at Tesla dealership |url=https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/crime/meridian-police-investigating-vandalism-tesla-dealership/277-4f476a1e-7668-477e-916e-2ddee70ccec6 |website=KTVB |access-date=April 6, 2025 |date=April 3, 2025}}
In Nevada, multiple Teslas were set on fire at a dealership in Enterprise. The Federal Bureau of Investigation said they were investigating.{{cite web |last1=Horwath |first1=Beyan |date=March 21, 2025 |title=FBI asks for help, vigilance after Tesla attack in Las Vegas |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/crime/fbi-asks-for-help-vigilance-after-tesla-attack-in-las-vegas-3324849/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250322050736/https://www.reviewjournal.com/crime/fbi-asks-for-help-vigilance-after-tesla-attack-in-las-vegas-3324849/ |archive-date=March 22, 2025 |access-date=March 23, 2025 |website=Las Vegas Review-Journal}} A 36-year-old Las Vegas resident was arrested and charged with federal offenses.{{cite web |last1=Lee |first1=Cody |date=March 27, 2025 |title=Report: Suspect in Las Vegas Tesla fires claimed car was stolen before attack |url=https://www.fox5vegas.com/2025/03/27/las-vegas-tesla-attacker-faces-15-charges-makes-first-court-appearance/ |access-date=March 30, 2025 |website=FOX 5 Vegas}}
In Salem, Oregon, a Tesla vehicle was set on fire in a dealership parking lot in January.{{cite web |last1=Funk |first1=Isabel |date=January 21, 2025 |title=Police investigating car fire at Tesla dealership in Salem as arson |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/crime/2025/01/20/salem-oregon-police-investigate-car-fire-telsa-dealership-as-arson/77840575007/ |access-date=March 23, 2025 |website=USA Today}} The following month, several gunshots were fired at the windows of the same dealership.{{cite web |last1=Funk |first1=Isabel |date=February 19, 2025 |title=Salem Police investigate shooting at Tesla dealership |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/crime/2025/02/19/salem-police-investigate-tesla-dealership-shooting/79213107007/ |access-date=March 23, 2025 |website=USA Today}} A suspect was arrested and faces federal charges.{{cite web |date=March 21, 2025 |title=Salem man faces federal charges for Tesla dealership vandalism |url=https://katu.com/news/local/salem-man-faces-federal-charges-for-tesla-dealership-vandalism-molotov-cocktail-trump-musk-elsalvador |access-date=March 23, 2025 |website=KATU}} A dealership in Tigard was also damaged by gunfire in March. A security guard was present, but they were not injured.{{cite web |last1=Foran |first1=Andrew |date=March 13, 2025 |title=Tigard Tesla dealership shot for second time in a week |url=https://www.koin.com/local/tigard-tesla-dealership-shot-for-second-time-in-a-week/ |access-date=March 23, 2025 |website=KOIN}} In Portland, a person spray-painted the word "Nazi" on a Tesla.{{cite web |last1=McCarty |first1=Alma |date=February 12, 2025 |title=Video shows vandal spray-painting "Nazi" on Portland man's Tesla |url=https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/video-captures-vandal-spray-painting-nazi-portland-tesla/283-f758c0ce-cfbf-4c80-9827-5491f37a601c |access-date=March 24, 2025 |website=KGW8}} In Eugene, the words "Divest" and "Depose" were spray-painted on two Tesla vehicles.{{cite web |last1=Aranda |first1=Adam |last2=Desaulniers |first2=Robert |date=March 21, 2025 |title=Eugene couple's Tesla vehicles vandalized with spray paint |url=https://www.kezi.com/news/eugene-couple-s-tesla-vehicles-vandalized-with-spray-paint/article_aa4ec3d4-d090-4c66-9075-a6dc974ff703.html |access-date=March 23, 2025 |website=KEZI}} In Washington, four Cybertrucks were damaged by a fire in Seattle.{{cite web |date=March 10, 2025 |title=Fire that damaged four Tesla Cybertrucks in Seattle under investigation |url=https://apnews.com/article/tesla-cybertruck-fire-seattle-7cd720096694b8455684db31159ed666 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250320072550/https://apnews.com/article/tesla-cybertruck-fire-seattle-7cd720096694b8455684db31159ed666 |archive-date=March 20, 2025 |access-date=March 23, 2025 |website=The Associated Press}} in Portland, Oregon, a man was arrested for trying to blind Tesla employees with a laser pointer.{{cite news |date=April 6, 2025 |title=Portland man arrested after police say he pointed laser at Tesla employees inside dealership |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/crime/2025/04/portland-man-arrested-after-police-say-he-pointed-laser-at-tesla-employees-inside-dealership.html?outputType=amp |access-date=April 6, 2025 |website=Oregonlive}}
On March 22, four Tesla chargers in Rock Springs, Wyoming, were spray-painted with Swastikas.{{cite web |last1=Randall |first1=Doug |date=March 23, 2025 |title=Police Investigating Vandalism Of Tesla Charging Stations In Rock Springs |url=https://kgab.com/police-investigating-vandalism-of-tesla-charging-stations-in-rock-springs/?utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral |access-date=March 23, 2025 |website=KGAB}}
= Canada =
In Vancouver, police arrested a man suspected of vandalizing a Tesla dealership multiple times between January 1 and March 21, spray-painting obscenities on the building.{{cite web |title=Arrest made after Tesla dealership vandalized in Vancouver |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/tesla-vancouver-vandalism-1.7490652 |website=CBC News |access-date=March 23, 2025 |date=March 21, 2025}} In Montreal, police arrested two members of an activist group who sprayed paint on a dealership.{{cite web |last1=Shingler |first1=Benjamin |title=Montreal Tesla dealership vandalized amid backlash against Elon Musk |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/tesla-montreal-vandalism-1.7487684 |website=CBC News |access-date=March 23, 2025 |date=March 19, 2025}}
On March 17, a Tesla Model S was set on fire in the parking lot of Masonville Place in London, Ontario. No injuries were reported.{{cite web |title=London, Ont., police investigate 'suspicious' Tesla fire in mall parking lot |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/london-ont-police-investigate-suspicious-tesla-fire-in-mall-parking-lot-1.7487858 |website=CBC News |access-date=March 23, 2025 |date=March 19, 2025}} March 18, a Tesla car was burned in southeast Calgary. March 19th, a Tesla cybertruck was burned in Calgary.{{Cite web |date=March 20, 2025 |title=2 Teslas set on fire in Calgary this week, police say |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/2-teslas-set-on-fire-in-calgary-this-week-police-say-1.7489407 |website=CBC}} On March 20, 80 Teslas were damaged at a dealership in Hamilton, Ontario, with cars having deep scratches and tires punctured.{{cite web |last1=Carreño Rosas |first1=Anna |title=80 Teslas damaged at Hamilton dealership, largest car vandalism reported in Canada against the U.S. company |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/tesla-dealership-vehicles-damaged-1.7488806 |website=CBC News |access-date=March 23, 2025 |date=March 20, 2025 |archive-date=March 23, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250323010246/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/tesla-dealership-vehicles-damaged-1.7488806 |url-status=live }}
February 13 and March 31 Tesla vehicles were vandalized in Victoria, Canada. In Vancouver, there have been 28 acts of vandalism against Teslas, charging stations or car dealerships since January (as of April 1).{{Cite web |last=Raptis |first=Mike |date=April 1, 2025 |title=Victoria police seek suspect caught on camera keying Tesla Cybertruck |url=https://vancouversun.com/news/ victoria-police-suspect-keying-tesla-cybertruck |website=Vancouver Sun}} On April 3 a pregnant woman was injured after a rock was thrown at her Tesla.{{Cite web |last=Brockman |first=Charles |date=2025-04-03 |title=Woman injured after Tesla windshield smashed in Vancouver |url=https://vancouver.citynews.ca/2025/04/03/vancouver-police-tesla-windshield-smashed-pregnant-woman-injured/ |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=CityNews Vancouver |language=en}}
= France =
Around a dozen Teslas were set on fire outside a dealership in Toulouse on February 23. Eight cars were destroyed and another four were damaged.{{cite web |title=Dozen Teslas torched outside French dealership: authorities |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250303-dozen-teslas-torched-outside-french-dealership-authorities |website=France 24 |publisher=AFP |access-date=March 23, 2025 |date=March 3, 2025 |archive-date=March 20, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250320143207/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250303-dozen-teslas-torched-outside-french-dealership-authorities |url-status=live }}
Several Tesla Superchargers were set on fire in Saint-Chamond. The police said two chargers were completely destroyed, while the others were damaged.
A dozen burnings of Teslas have happened from September, 2024 to April, 2025 in Deux-Sévres.{{Cite web |last=Lilley |first=Zane |date=2025-04-01 |title=Is it dangerous to drive a Tesla in France at the moment? |url=https://www.connexionfrance.com/practical/is-it-dangerous-to-drive-a-tesla-in-france-at-the-moment/716299 |access-date=2025-04-03 |website=Connexion France |language=en-GB}}
= Globally =
Seven Teslas were destroyed after catching on fire outside a dealership in Ottersberg, Germany around 3:30 a.m. on March 29, a worldwide day of action announced by the Tesla Takedown movement.{{Cite web|author=|date=2025-03-29|title=Protest gegen Tesla? Elektroautos gehen in Flammen auf|url=https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/niedersachsen/oldenburg_ostfriesland/Protest-gegen-Tesla-Elektroautos-gehen-in-Flammen-auf-,aktuelloldenburg18376.html|website =ndr.de|language=de|publisher=Norddeutscher Rundfunk|access-date=2025-03-31}} Seventeen Tesla vehicles were damaged in a fire at a store in Rome.{{Cite web |title=Elon Musk snaps at 'insane' Takedown Tesla protests as activists demand drivers boycott electric car brand |url=https://www.gbnews.com/lifestyle/cars/elon-musk-takedown-tesla-protests-boycott-electric-car |access-date=2025-03-31 |website=gbnews |language=en}}
In New Zealand, several Tesla cars were spray painted in Auckland.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-11 |title=Man in custody after reports of electric cars being vandalised in Auckland |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/544465/man-in-custody-after-reports-of-electric-cars-being-vandalised-in-auckland |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=RNZ |language=en-nz}}{{Cite web |date=2025-03-10 |title=More Teslas targeted by paint pest, police probe after six cars damaged in one night |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/teslas-targeted-by-spray-paint-pest-cars-left-undrivable-owners-fear-parking-in-public/W2NLKPTBHBHRFNOQSMIMG3AYPU/ |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=NZ Herald |language=en-NZ}} Members of Just Stop Oil poured an orange liquid latex over a Tesla robot at a store in London.{{cite web |title=UK climate activists target Tesla robot in Elon Musk protest |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-climate-activists-target-tesla-robot-elon-musk-protest-2025-03-12/ |website=Reuters |access-date=March 23, 2025 |date=March 12, 2025}}
Response
= Government officials =
In a Truth Social post, President Trump suggested people who vandalized Teslas should be sent to prisons in El Salvador,{{cite web |last1=Forrester |first1=Megan |date=March 22, 2025 |title=Trump suggests Tesla vandals should be sent to prison in El Salvador |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-suggests-tesla-vandals-prison-el-salvador/story?id=120019715 |access-date=March 23, 2025 |website=ABC News |archive-date=March 22, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250322231258/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-suggests-tesla-vandals-prison-el-salvador/story?id=120019715 |url-status=live }} the same country where the United States had recently sent hundreds of migrants.{{cite web |last1=Murray |first1=Conor |title=Tesla Protests And Vandalism Surge: Trump Says Vandals Should Serve 20-Year Sentences In El Salvador |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2025/03/21/tesla-protests-and-vandalism-surge-trump-says-vandals-should-serve-20-year-sentences-in-el-salvador/ |website=Forbes |access-date=March 23, 2025 |date=March 21, 2025}} Trump also claimed, without evidence, that "people that are very highly political on the left" were paying the vandals.{{cite web |last1=Collier |first1=Kevin |last2=Kosnar |first2=Michael |title=No evidence of coordinated vandalism of Teslas despite Musk and Trump claims |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/elon-musk/tesla-vandalism-not-coordinated-trump-musk-claims-rcna197369 |website=NBC News |access-date=March 23, 2025 |date=March 21, 2025}}
Attorney General Pam Bondi described Tesla vandalism as "nothing short of domestic terrorism" and vowed to "impose severe consequences on those involved in these attacks, including those operating behind the scenes to coordinate and fund these crimes."{{cite web |last1=Wold |first1=Zachary B. |title=Tesla vandals are terrorists, according to President Trump |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/19/politics/tesla-attacks-trump-musk-domestic-terrorism-what-matters/index.html |website=CNN |access-date=March 23, 2025 |date=March 19, 2025}}
Elon Musk said those vandalizing cars should "stop being psycho" and called Tesla a "peaceful company".{{cite web |last1=Altchek |first1=Ana |title=Elon Musk says the Tesla protesters vandalizing cars should 'stop being psycho' |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-tesla-fires-protesters-stop-being-psycho-2025-3 |website=Business Insider |access-date=March 24, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250321162153/https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-tesla-fires-protesters-stop-being-psycho-2025-3 |archive-date=March 21, 2025 |date=March 21, 2025}} He said he believed there was a "mental illness thing going on," and suggested that the perpetrators were being led by a "larger force" who were funding and coordinating the violence.{{Cite web |last=Rissman |first=Kelly |date=2025-03-19 |title=Elon Musk mocked for 'woe is me' interview on Hannity |url=https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/elon-musk-mocked-hannity-tesla-b2717970.html |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=The Independent |language=en}} He also referred to the acts as "trans violence" and claimed that "the probability of a trans person being violent appears to be vastly higher".{{Cite web |last=Riedel |first=Samantha |date=2025-03-21 |title=Elon Musk Is Trying to Blame Tesla Vandalism on "Trans Violence" |url=https://www.them.us/story/elon-musk-blame-tesla-vandalism-trans-violence-twitter-misinformation |access-date=2025-03-31 |website=Them |language=en-US}}
Law enforcement and domestic terrorism experts have found no evidence that the attacks are coordinated.
On March 24, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) launched an investigation task force. The director of the FBI, Kash Patel, has called the attacks "domestic terrorism".{{Cite web |last=Mangan |first=Dan |date=2025-03-24 |title=FBI launches Tesla threats task force: 'This is domestic terrorism' |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2025/03/24/fbi-tesla-elon-musk-task-force-threats-trump-doge.html |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=CNBC |language=en}} Bruce Hoffman, senior fellow for counterterrorism and homeland security at the Council on Foreign Relations agreed with the classification of terrorism by saying "It's absolutely domestic terrorism. Vandalism is a crime that if it's committed with a political motive, can certainly be defined as terrorism." {{Cite news |title=3 people face federal charges for Tesla attacks. Are such acts domestic terrorism? |url=https://www.npr.org/2025/03/20/nx-s1-5333315/tesla-attacks-ag-bondi-domestic-terrorism-trump-musk |access-date=2025-03-25 |work=NPR |language=en}}
= Insurance companies =
After increasing losses due to an increase in vandalism, insurance companies have suggested their rates could rise to insure Tesla vehicles. Compared to the average rise in cost of 10% to insure US vehicles, the Model Y has risen 29% and the Model 3 has rose 24% from 2024 to 2025. The average cost to insure Model Y and 3 rose 300$ and 101$ respectively from January to March, 2025.{{Cite web |last=Carter |first=Tom |title=Teslas are already expensive to insure. A wave of vandalism could make things a lot worse. |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-insurance-costs-could-spike-due-to-wave-of-vandalism-2025-3 |access-date=2025-03-30 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}}
= Other =
In March 2025, the Vancouver International Auto Show removed Tesla from its line-up due to safety concerns.{{cite web |last1=Robledo |first1=Anthony |title=Tesla removed from Vancouver International Auto Show due to safety concerns |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2025/03/19/vancouver-auto-show-tesla/82556297007/ |website=USA Today |access-date=March 23, 2025 |date=March 19, 2025}}
The April 5, 2025 episode of Saturday Night Live referenced the increase in vandalism in its cold open, with Musk, played by Mike Myers, blaming his own unpopularity for the situation and introducing a "fully self-vandalizing" Tesla vehicle that includes "AI-powered graffiti" of swastikas and penises. Musk responded to the sketch in a post on X, giving his view that the show "hasn't been funny in a long time".{{cite news |last1=Vera |first1=Kelby |title='SNL' Imagines Tesla's Next Innovation: A Car That Destroys Itself |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/snl-self-vandalizing-tesla_n_67f2cb0ee4b0fb5412a1b3c3 |access-date=14 April 2025 |work=HuffPost UK |date=6 April 2025 |language=en}}
References
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{{Tesla, Inc.}}
{{Elon Musk}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tesla vandalism, 2025}}
Category:February 2025 crimes in the United States
Category:March 2025 crimes in the United States
Category:Protests in the United States
Category:Terrorism in the United States