Trump floats labeling violence against Tesla dealerships as domestic terrorism
President Trump hinted he would be open to labeling individuals who carry out violence at Tesla dealerships as “domestic terrorists” following a string of violent demonstrations at the electric vehicle company’s showrooms across the U.S.
Trump was asked Tuesday at the White House if he could speak about some of the violence occurring at Tesla dealerships, with a reporter noting that some people think those responsible should be labeled domestic terrorists.
“I will do that, I'll do it. I’m going to stop them,” Trump said.
“Those people are going to go through a big problem when we catch them. We’ve got a lot of cameras up, we already know who some of them are. We're going to catch them. And they’re bad guys. They’re the same guys that screw around with our schools and universities, the same garbage,” Trump added. “And, no, we’re going to catch them. And let me tell you, you do it to Tesla, and you do it to any company, we’re going to catch you and you’re going to go through hell.”
The president argued he would do the same for other American companies and corporations.
“If we catch anybody doing it, because they’re harming a great American company. I've stuck up for the NFL, I've stuck up for a lot of American companies and other companies, but American companies,” he said.
“The ongoing and heinous acts of violence against Tesla by radical Leftist activists are nothing short of domestic terror. President Trump has been clear, these attacks, or any other attack to intimidate or coerce our government or it’s people will not stand in President Trump’s America," Trump spokesperson Harrison Fields told The Hill.
The president took wide-ranging questions from reporters on Tuesday alongside Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who is a Trump senior adviser, while he checked out Tesla cars that were brought to the White House.
Musk has come under increasing scrutiny for his efforts to carry out Trump's promised cuts to the federal workforce through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Its mass layoffs, spending cuts and increased access to sensitive data has sparked broad pushback.
In turn, Musk’s electric vehicle company has become a target.
Over the past few weeks, protesters have targeted a string of Tesla showrooms, while some EVs have been vandalized on the street. Some Tesla owners have put bumper stickers displaying messages like “I bought it before Elon went nuts.”
In Colorado, a protester was arrested last month for allegedly spray-painting “Nazi” under the Tesla sign and ignited Molotov cocktails in multiple visits.
Tesla’s stock has also taken a major hit, plummeting more than 50 percent since December. The stock dropped more than 15 percent on Monday, marking its largest plunge in more than four years.
Amid the backlash, Trump announced Tuesday morning he would buy a Tesla in support of Musk and DOGE’s efforts.
“I’m going to buy because number one, it’s a great product. As good as it gets. Number two, because this man [Elon Musk] has devoted his energy and his life to doing this, and I think he has been treated unfairly,” Trump said while alongside Musk in the afternoon.
“I mean, nobody else has a car company started up in the last 30 years that’s been successful, I don’t think so,” Trump continued, adding, “But because he’s finding all sorts of terrible things that have taken place against our country, we want to penalize him in an economic sense. And I just think that’s very unfair. So I just wanted to make a statement. I’m going to buy one now.”
Updated: 5:27 p.m.
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