A series of suspected arson incidents in the United States has led to multiple Tesla vehicles being set on fire, reportedly due to dissatisfaction with Elon Musk’s “pro-Trump stance.” These incidents have sparked controversy across the country.
According to foreign media outlets like Electrek and the New York Post, five vehicles parked at a Tesla service center in Las Vegas were completely burned down on the morning of the 18th (local time). One of these vehicles reportedly experienced an internal lithium battery explosion.
In both Las Vegas and Kansas City, fires damaged Tesla properties leading the FBI to join the investigation. CCTV footage shows multiple Tesla vehicles engulfed in flames. The Las Vegas Police Department commented that it heard claims of an individual setting the vehicles ablaze, but investigations are still ongoing. They also mentioned that the incident appears to be a targeted attack on Tesla facilities and is being investigated by the Joint Terrorism Task Force.
On the same day, two Cybertrucks were set on fire at a Tesla store in Kansas City, which is also suspected to be arson, though confirmation is pending.
Recently, some American citizens have been protesting and attacking Tesla stores due to dissatisfaction with Elon Musk, who is perceived to have political ties to former President Trump. Electrek reported that Tesla-related protests show no signs of decreasing and over 100 incidents are expected in the next two weeks.
Former President Donald Trump criticized these attacks, describing those responsible as harming a “great American company” and warning that anyone harming Tesla would face severe consequences. He even considered designating the attackers as “domestic terrorists.”
On March 18, Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a statement equating the violent attacks on Tesla assets to domestic terrorism and announced that several perpetrators have been charged, including cases with mandatory minimum sentences of five years. She pledged to continue investigations into those organizing and funding these crimes.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk expressed his disdain on X, labeling the violence as “insanity” and “seriously wrong,” emphasizing that Tesla merely produces electric vehicles and does not warrant such malevolent attacks.