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Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Photos show how angst against Elon Musk went global during Tesla protests
Tesla is facing backlash as its CEO Elon Musk plays a very public-facing role in global politics. Protesters from the US, UK, Germany, and France demonstrated against Tesla on Saturday. Signs can be seen calling for a boycott of Tesla and accusing Musk of attacking democracy. Hundreds of protests at Tesla dealerships and showrooms around the world took place on Saturday, showcasing a brewing global resistance against the company's CEO, Elon Musk, as he continues to get involved in political affairs. The organizer of the protest, known as "Tesla Takedown," aimed to target more than 500 Tesla showrooms worldwide. About half of them were planned to take place at Tesla showrooms in the US, according to the organizer's social media. Protesters across multiple states, from blue-haven California to red-state Florida, were seen holding signs that urged passersby to "boycott Tesla" or called Musk a "fascist." Some of the unrest stems from Musk's involvement with the Trump administration which has been on a fast track to reduce the size of the government by cutting the federal workforce or eliminating entire agencies. Some of the moves made by DOGE, the White House office leading the cost-cutting efforts, are being challenged in court. Patty Hoyt, a resident of Marin County, California, who was protesting at a local Tesla dealership, told BI she disagreed with the administration's plan to cut jobs from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Although Hoyt's not a veteran, she said in an interview that she had veteran friends who rely on the resources from the VA. "These are people we made promises to," Hoyt said of veterans. But the frustrations aren't just directed at Musk's increasing influence in US politics as protests were spotted across Europe in France, Scotland, Germany, England, and the UK. During Trump's inauguration ceremony in January, Musk made a gesture to the audience that was widely interpreted to be a Nazi salute. Musk has denied that that was his intention. The Anti-Defamation League also defended the gesture, saying it was "awkward" but not a Nazi salute. The gesture inevitably struck a nerve with some in Europe, including lawmakers, as the continent has a long dark history of being under Nazi occupation during World War II. A protester in France held a sign declaring "No Nazi Cars." In London, demonstrators set up an inflatable tube man that depicted Musk's likeness and his infamous gesture. Musk has made clear that his political interests go beyond the US. Last year, the CEO threw his support behind AfD, or Alternative for Germany, endorsing the far-right German political party to his millions of followers on X. In February, the Afd came in second place in Germany's national election, which represents Afd's best performance in the party's history. Musk's involvement with domestic and global affairs may have come at a cost. After seeing a peak $1.54 trillion valuation in December, Tesla's stock in recent weeks came tumbling down amid underperforming global sales and increasing concerns from investors and Wall Street that Musk is too distracted from his work. It's difficult to measure to what extent Musk's politics have impacted his EV company. Tesla sales in Europe for the months of January and February fell 42.6% compared to figures from the same period, last year, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association, selling under 27,000 vehicles. A Tesla spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment. Beyond protests, Tesla dealerships and vehicles also have become a recent target of vandalism incidents and violence. On March 24, the Austin Police Department told BI that officers found "incendiary" devices at a local Tesla dealership. Earlier that month, police in Oregon investigated gunshots directed at another Tesla building. Some Tesla Cybertruck owners previously told BI that they've been subjected to ridicule and harassment for the car they owned. "The Cybertruck just seems to send people over the edge a bit," one owner, who asked to remain anonymous, said. "It makes no sense, I'm not Elon!" The Trump administration, including the Department of Justice, has vowed to crack down on the attacks against Tesla, calling the recent spate of incidents "domestic terrorism." "The days of committing crimes without consequence have ended," Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a statement on March 20. "Let this be a warning: If you join this wave of domestic terrorism against Tesla properties, the Department of Justice will put you behind bars." A White House spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment. Read the original article on Business Insider
USA Today
28-02-2025
- Automotive
- USA Today
Person alleged to have vandalized Tesla dealership arrested with 'incendiary devices'
Person alleged to have vandalized Tesla dealership arrested with 'incendiary devices' Show Caption Hide Caption Tesla tumbles below $1 trillion value For the first time since November, Tesla is worth less than $1 trillion. The firm's stock tumbled 8% after new figures showed sales have slumped in Europe. DENVER ‒ Police in Colorado have arrested a person they say repeatedly vandalized and set fire to a Tesla dealership ‒ and say they caught her Monday with more "incendiary devices" outside the same dealership. The attacks on the dealership are among the latest in a growing trend of ire directed at Tesla vehicles and company CEO Elon Musk, a lightning rod for his alliance with President Donald Trump. Some Tesla drivers, particularly Cybertruck drivers, have reported road-rage incidents and vandalism directed at them, but this arrest about an hour northwest of Denver appears to be among the first to draw significant criminal charges. Loveland Police announced they arrested the suspect around midnight on Monday. Federal ATF agents are also assisting in the investigation that started earlier this year when someone smashed windows, painted Cybertruck windshields with large red Xs and tried to start a fire. Local media reported that someone at that time also painted "Nazi Cars" at the dealership about an hour northwest of Denver. "These incidents were not only unlawful, dangerous, and unsettling, they also created an atmosphere of discomfort and worry," Loveland Police spokesman Chris Padgett. "Those who work at the business, along with those living in the community, have had to deal with such concerns since the first incident on January 29th. Police said the suspect goes by the names Lucy Grace Nelson and Justin Thomas Nelson. Padgett said federal charges are likely forthcoming. Nelson faces Colorado charges of using explosives or incendiary devices while committing a felony, along with criminal mischief. They are free on a $100,000 bond but it was unclear whether they have an attorney. Musk has rapidly become a target of anger by left-wing activists following his decision last year to endorse Trump for president. Musk now runs Trump's "Department of Government Efficiency" and has been scything through federal agencies to cut staff and spending, although courts have blocked some of those efforts. On Monday, social media content creator and car salesman Russell Richardson posted a video showing how two customers traded in Teslas because they were upset with Musk, a trend he said reflected what "a lot of people" are doing. "They felt a certain way and they were willing to put their money where their mouth was, and get rid of the product they were driving to get something else," said Richardson, who posts as 'Russ Flips Whips.' "Not too many people can say that. These two people felt strongly about what Elon Musk was doing and they did not agree with him."
