Tesla cars attacked nationwide after Musk joins Trump team
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Tesla vehicles across the United States are increasingly becoming targets of vandalism and violence, coinciding with Elon Musk’s appointment as leader of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under President Trump’s administration and his subsequent implementation of cutbacks.
The attacks primarily involve “keying” – deliberately scratching the vehicles’ surfaces – but have escalated to include more serious offenses. Tesla’s Sentry Mode technology, which records external activity around the vehicles, has proven instrumental in capturing many of these incidents on video.
The wave of anti-Tesla incidents has spread across more than 20 states, with documented cases ranging from minor vandalism to serious crimes. In Virginia, vandals carved a swastika into a Tesla’s hood, while a Utah Cybertruck owner faced harassment including vulgar stickers placed on her vehicle. California has seen multiple incidents, including tire slashing, window breaking, and swastika graffiti at dealerships.
🚨 NEW: A Tesla owner has just filed a $1 MILLION lawsuit against the man who keyed his car
The victim says he intends to send a “STRONG MESSAGE” to the people terrorizing Tesla owners
Another case of FAFO! 🔥
This is going to be an EXPENSIVE one for the clown who decided to… pic.twitter.com/qGvNpsS3HJ
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) April 2, 2025
The situation has grown increasingly severe, with some locations reporting explosive devices at dealerships, as occurred in Austin, Texas. Other notable incidents include a Florida resident throwing dog feces at a Cybertruck, physical assaults against Tesla owners in Flagstaff, Arizona, and targeted vandalism against a disabled woman’s Tesla in Kansas.
The attacks have taken various forms, from spray-painted Nazi references in Michigan and Oklahoma to arson attempts at charging stations in South Carolina. Some perpetrators have been particularly brazen, such as a masked individual in Washington state who verbally harassed a Tesla-driving mother, labeling her vehicle as “a Nazi car.”
The financial impact has been significant, with one Texas Tesla owner filing a $1 million lawsuit following vandalism at DFW Airport. Other incidents include gum being smeared on door handles in Florida, gasoline-fueled arson in Seattle, and multiple cases of spray-painted political messages on vehicles in Oregon.
Man in California spray paints a Tesla.
The face of the vandal and the license plate of his car are easily viewable.
Do you know this man? pic.twitter.com/V6WxsunL6e
— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) April 2, 2025
More extreme cases involve Molotov cocktail attacks at dealerships, resulting in federal charges in Oregon and the torching of five vehicles in Las Vegas. The vandalism continues to occur regularly, with recent incidents including $7,000 worth of damage to three Teslas in Bradenton, Florida.
Despite the ongoing harassment and property damage, many Tesla owners remain committed to their vehicles, refusing to be intimidated by these attacks. The company’s Sentry Mode technology continues to assist law enforcement in identifying and apprehending perpetrators, though the incidents show no signs of abating.
