Multiple Teslas vandalized with swastikas at California dealership
Police in San Diego County are searching for vandals who targeted a California Tesla dealership in Encinitas.
'Multiple cars were found with swastikas spray-painted on them,' the San Diego County Sheriff's Office announced Monday. 'In addition, several windows of the dealership building had also been spray-painted with swastikas and profanity.'
Officers on patrol said they spotted the damaged vehicles around 5 a.m. Crime Stoppers is offering a $1,000 maximum reward for information leading to an arrest.
Teslas, Tesla dealerships and Tesla charging stations are being targeted nationwide to protest the company's owner, billionaire Trump administration adviser Elon Musk. While speaking at a Trump inauguration event in January, Musk twice made a gesture similar to a Nazi salute. He's also spread right-wing conspiracy theories and aligned himself with Germany's far-right AfD party.
Some Tesla owners have gotten rid of their cars or disguised them to look like another brand of automobile to separate themselves from Musk's politics.
The 53-year-old entrepreneur spent nearly $300 million to put Trump and his allies in power in the 2024 election. Trump in turn let Musk form an agency meant to cut government spending. He also held a press event last week promoting Tesla automobiles in front of the White House and warning anyone caught damaging Musk's products 'We're going to catch you and you're going to go through Hell.'
Posters featuring Musk and calling Teslas 'The Swasticar' have popped up around London in recent weeks.
Musk has laughed off suggestions that he's a Nazi.
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