Elon Musk’s Tesla is no longer just an automaker—it’s a battleground.
On March 30, the “Tesla Takedown” movement erupted into over 200 coordinated protests across the U.S., Canada, and Europe. What started as a call for consumers to ditch their Teslas in opposition to Musk’s government-slashing agenda has transformed into a political firestorm, drawing FBI attention and sparking nationwide violence.
Protesters claim their movement is peaceful, urging people to sell Tesla stock and vehicles to denounce Musk’s role as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—a controversial agency accused of dismantling key federal institutions. But with rising tensions, Molotov cocktails, arson, and clashes with authorities, the lines between peaceful activism and domestic unrest have blurred.
From Dance Parties to Destruction
In Washington, D.C., over 100 protesters gathered outside a Tesla showroom, turning their demonstration into a “Tesla Takedown Dance Party!” complete with anti-Musk signs, disco music, and passing cars honking in solidarity.
But elsewhere, the situation was far from festive.
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Las Vegas: A man firebombed a Tesla repair facility after scrawling “RESIST” in pink spray paint.
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Florida: A black SUV plowed into protesters outside a Tesla dealership, narrowly missing lives.
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Boston & Chicago: Hundreds defied the rain to protest outside Tesla locations, denouncing Musk’s alignment with the Trump administration.
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Maryland: 750 people surrounded a Tesla showroom in Rockville, making it one of the largest demonstrations of the day.
Musk Hits Back as Tesla Stock Plummets
Elon Musk isn’t taking this lightly.
Amidst the escalating chaos, Tesla’s stock (TSLA) has plunged 45% since December 17, fueling the movement’s claims that the company is bleeding public support. In an internal meeting on March 21, Musk urged employees to “Hang on to your stock”, dismissing the protests as overblown.
However, in a Fox News interview on Friday, Musk admitted that the protests and attacks have hit Tesla’s bottom line. “Do you think it helps sales if our dealerships are being firebombed? Of course not,” he snapped.
Musk also claimed his government role is a disadvantage, saying, “My companies are suffering because I’m in the government.”
FBI Cracks Down: ‘This is Domestic Terrorism’
The U.S. government isn’t standing idly by.
Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel have labeled the violent anti-Tesla acts as “domestic terrorism”, launching a task force to crack down on the wave of vandalism, arson, and attacks against Tesla-related properties.
According to the FBI, anti-Tesla incidents have occurred in at least nine states, with investigators warning that more attacks could be imminent. The agency has called for public vigilance, urging people to report anyone surveilling Tesla properties or making threats online.
Where Does This End?
As the battle over Tesla’s fate escalates, one thing is clear: this is no longer just about cars.
With Musk positioned as a divisive political figure, Tesla has transformed from an electric car powerhouse into a symbol of government overreach, corporate greed, and deep societal fractures. Whether the Tesla Takedown movement will continue to grow—or be crushed under federal investigations—remains to be seen.
One thing’s for sure: this is far from over.
