On Friday, President Donald Trump made headlines by suggesting that the recent attacks on Tesla cars and property have caused more damage than the infamous January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. During a press conference in the Oval Office, Trump emphasized that the individuals involved in the alleged attacks on Tesla should be classified as “terrorists.” This statement comes amid growing protests across the nation against Elon Musk and his administration's efforts to significantly reduce the federal government's size.
In recent weeks, protests targeting Tesla, led by activists opposing Musk's controversial policies, have been reported across the United States. While many demonstrations have remained peaceful, a disturbing trend of vandalism and arson has emerged, with instances of protesters setting Tesla vehicles ablaze. The Trump administration has been vocal in its condemnation of these violent actions, advocating for Americans to support Musk’s electric car company. In a notable display of solidarity, President Trump even purchased a Tesla on the White House South Lawn, aiming to boost sales for the electric car manufacturer amidst the turmoil.
On Thursday, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced plans to charge three individuals for allegedly using Molotov cocktails to destroy Tesla property, labeling their actions as “domestic terrorism.” Trump’s comments on Friday intensified the discourse surrounding these incidents, as he declared, “I view these people as terrorists.” This strong rhetoric marks a significant escalation in the conversation around the protests and attacks on Tesla.
In a surprising pivot during the press briefing, Trump brought up the Capitol riot without any prompting. He stated, “You didn’t have that on January 6, I can tell you,” asserting that “nobody was killed” during the Capitol attack aside from Ashli Babbitt, a rioter shot by Capitol police while attempting to breach the Speaker’s Lobby. While Babbitt was indeed the only rioter killed by police that day, the aftermath of the riot saw several police officers take their own lives and approximately 140 officers injured during the chaotic events.
While the Capitol riot resulted in severe consequences, including numerous arrests and ongoing investigations, there have been no reported fatalities or significant injuries tied to the protests against Tesla. Since the beginning of his presidency, Trump has consistently advocated for leniency towards those charged in connection with the January 6 events, issuing pardons for about 1,500 individuals who stormed the Capitol in his name on the first day of his second term.
In light of the ongoing violence against Tesla, President Trump proposed severe penalties for those found guilty of participating in these attacks. In a Friday morning post on Truth Social, he labeled the perpetrators as “sick terrorist thugs” and suggested that they should serve lengthy sentences in the notorious prisons of El Salvador. This statement has sparked further debate about the definition of terrorism and the appropriate legal responses to acts of vandalism and violence against private property.
