Trump to Tesla vandals: 'We are looking for you!!!'

President Trump issued a stark warning to those vandalizing Tesla dealerships across the U.S., threatening extensive jail time.
"I look forward to watching the sick terrorist thugs get 20 year jail sentences for what they are doing to Elon Musk and Tesla," Trump wrote early Friday on Truth Social. "Perhaps they could serve them in the prisons of El Salvador, which have become so recently famous for such lovely conditions!"
Trump in a separate post from late Thursday wrote: "WE ARE LOOKING FOR YOU!!!"
On Thursday, Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed that at least three individuals are facing federal charges for attacking Tesla properties with Molotov cocktails in three different states, which have been designated "domestic terrorism."
The charges, which carry up to 20-year sentences, come amid a wave of violent demonstrations in protest of Musk, the CEO of Tesla and a senior adviser to Trump, amid the Department of Government Efficiency's (DOGE) efforts to overhaul the federal government and slash spending.
The electric vehicle company has also seen a more than 50 percent dip in the stock market since late last year. Administration officials and the president himself have recently thrown their support behind the brand.
Trump earlier this month touted Tesla during an event on the White House lawn and even said he was purchasing a new vehicle. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has also pressed the public to invest in Tesla stock, a move that sparked backlash.
Musk has also been under fire for his seemingly growing influence within the administration as mass layoffs have taken place across the federal workforce. Many have also questioned potential conflicts of interest, as the billionaire is the owner of six companies.
Despite the scrutiny, Trump claimed earlier this week that he would show the same support for other American companies and corporations.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has also signaled that Congress will investigate the attacks against Tesla vehicles and their owners. The Louisiana Republican has touted Musk's DOGE cuts as "heroic" and argued without evidence that Democrats are behind the incidents.
Teslas have also been vandalized on the streets and some owners have added bumper stickers to their vehicles that read messages like “I bought it before Elon went nuts.”
-
Bondi tells Tesla vandals to 'watch out'
Attorney General Pam Bondi warned Tesla vandals to “watch out” Friday, as the Trump administration seeks to crack down on those targeting Tesla dealerships and cars. Bondi said she has opened an ...The Hill - 6d -
Trump suggests Tesla vandals should be sent to prison in El Salvador
President Donald Trump seemed to issue a warning to individuals who participate in Tesla vandalisms, as reports of destruction of vehicles surge across the country.ABC News - 32m -
Trump suggests Tesla vandals should be sent to prison in El Salvador
President Donald Trump seemed to issue a warning to individuals who participate in Tesla vandalisms, as reports of destruction of vehicles surge across the country.ABC News - 32m -
Trump compares violence against Tesla to Capitol riot: ‘You didn’t have anything like that on Jan. 6’
President Trump on Friday compared the vandalization of Tesla dealerships across the U.S. to the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, arguing the level of attacks on Elon Musk’s company wasn’t ...The Hill - 3h -
Multiple Teslas vandalized at California dealership
The vandalism comes two days after a protest at the same Tesla dealership.The Hill - 3d -
Trump admin live updates: Trump calls Tesla dealership vandals terrorists
Trump continued to deny a report that Elon Musk was going to receive a briefing on a top-secret military plan for a potential war with China.ABC News - 44m -
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 ...The Hill - Mar. 11 -
DOGE doxx site maps 'Musk World' as Trump AG threatens Tesla vandals with federal charges
Tesla CEO Elon Musk spent hundreds of millions to help President Donald Trump win a second term. His electric vehicle maker is paying a price for that.CNBC - 1d -
Tesla vehicles vandalized across US since Musk began White House role
Tesla vehicles, dealerships and charging stations have been hit with vandalisms, fires and protests since Elon Musk began his role at the White House.ABC News - Mar. 12
More from The Hill
-
House Democrats launch investigation of DHS ads on Trump immigration policies
House Democrats are launching an investigation into an ad campaign from the Trump administration on its immigration policies, saying it may have violated federal spending guidelines by promoting ...The Hill - 26m -
House Democrats launch investigation of DHS ads on Trump immigration policies
House Democrats are launching an investigation into an ad campaign from the Trump administration on its immigration policies, saying it may have violated federal spending guidelines by promoting ...The Hill - 26m -
CBO projects deficits will sharply rise if Trump tax cuts made permanent
New projections from Congress’s official legislative scorer show deficit levels will explode if the Trump tax cuts are made permanent and not simply extended. In response to a inquiry from Ways and ...The Hill - 59m -
Rubio slams CNN report he's 'frustrated' by Witkoff's role
Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday slammed a CNN report that he is "frustrated" by the role one of President Trump’s closest friends, billionaire Steve Witkoff, is playing in the ...The Hill - 1h -
Trump says ‘contract’ being drafted on ‘dividing up’ land in Ukraine war
President Trump said that “contracts” are being negotiated to divide up land as part of a final deal ending Russia’s war in Ukraine and reiterated that a ceasefire could come “pretty soon.” “They ...The Hill - 1h
More in Politics
-
House Democrats launch investigation of DHS ads on Trump immigration policies
House Democrats are launching an investigation into an ad campaign from the Trump administration on its immigration policies, saying it may have violated federal spending guidelines by promoting ...The Hill - 26m -
House Democrats launch investigation of DHS ads on Trump immigration policies
House Democrats are launching an investigation into an ad campaign from the Trump administration on its immigration policies, saying it may have violated federal spending guidelines by promoting ...The Hill - 26m -
Pentagon denies China was discussed in briefing with Elon Musk
Elon Musk's visit to the Pentagon is raising concerns about a potential conflict of interest since the tech mogul has business ties to both the Department of Defense and China. NBC News' Courtney ...NBC News - 36m -
Pentagon denies China was discussed in briefing with Elon Musk
Elon Musk's visit to the Pentagon is raising concerns about a potential conflict of interest since the tech mogul has business ties to both the Department of Defense and China. NBC News' Courtney ...NBC News - 36m -
CBO projects deficits will sharply rise if Trump tax cuts made permanent
New projections from Congress’s official legislative scorer show deficit levels will explode if the Trump tax cuts are made permanent and not simply extended. In response to a inquiry from Ways and ...The Hill - 59m