Opinion: Recent Tesla Attacks Sure Look Like Terrorism

While I’m not a huge Tesla fan, I believe these recent attacks on Tesla stores as well as private car owners are disgusting in nature and fit the definition of terrorism. At the same time, I understand some people think the attacks are funny, justified, and would probably like to see them continue, if not escalate. They think these terrorist acts will harm Elon Musk’s public image. The reality is the people committing these crimes are looking like domestic terrorists willing to use violence to get their way.

Man crashes a Dodge Charger into a backyard pool, then just walks away.

Merriam-Webster defines terrorism as “the systematic use of terror especially as a means of coercion.” In other words, it’s using fear to make people do something you want.

The FBI defines domestic terrorism as “violent, criminal acts committed by individuals and/or groups to further ideological goals stemming from domestic influences.”

Google’s AI Overview of terrorism says it’s “the use or threat of violence to intimidate or coerce.” We’re seeing a recurring theme.

In this case, it’s clear these attacks on Tesla Stores and private citizens driving their Teslas are meant to intimidate.  

Black man’s Cybertruck is vandalized and covered with anti-Elon messages while he was taking someone to the doctor.

Where’s Black Lives Matter? Where’s the Democrat outrage?

These attacks on Tesla owners are t*rr*rism and need to be prosecuted as such. pic.twitter.com/ccns5tDHyS

— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) March 18, 2025

There are many examples of vandalism of Teslas recently, something which happened before but often involves political messaging written or scratched into the electric vehicles. The cars, Elon Musk, and even in some cases the people who own them are called “Nazis” and “fascists” unironically. Someone should buy these vandals a dictionary and some history books.

There have been even scarier incidents, like a mother in Seattle who said a masked man followed her, cut off her Tesla, then got out and demanded she sell the EV for political reasons. That’s intimidation or attempted coercion, which again seems to fit the definition of terrorism.

As Fox 13 Seattle reported, the woman says she’s scared to take her Tesla anywhere. That’s the whole point: make Tesla owners so scared they sell their cars and drive something else.

The funny thing is historically these types of tactics have been used by actual fascists. I have mixed opinions of the guy, which has been true for well over a decade, but if the people criticizing him took a moment to read up on the actual history of Volkswagen and the socialist nationalist ideology from which it emerged, they might have a moment of serious self-reflection. After all, smashing up stores, burning things you don’t like, and harassing innocent citizens was the Third Reich way.

DEVELOPING: Video provided to the Review-Journal shows several @Tesla vehicles engulfed in flames after Las Vegas police say they were set on fire by an individual early Tuesday morning.
UPDATES→ https://t.co/sZQr9j1E5A pic.twitter.com/uXeLsdpTVl

— Las Vegas Review-Journal (@reviewjournal) March 18, 2025

Protesting outside a Tesla store versus shooting one up, setting the cars outside on fire, or burning down a Supercharger station are actions which are leagues apart. One is people expressing their opinion peacefully, while the other actions involve violence with the intent to coerce or intimidate.

Ultimately, if the violence continues, someone is going to get seriously hurt or killed. This isn’t a game, it isn’t funny, and anyone laughing at or cheering on the vandalism of Teslas or Tesla Stores should be ashamed of themselves. We live in a free market economy and people should be able to buy and drive the vehicle of their choice without fear of harassment or violence. That sort of right wasn’t afforded to the people unfortunate enough to live in the Third Reich or any totalitarian system.

Image via News 4 San Antonio/YouTube