President Donald Trump seemed to issue a warning to people participating in Tesla Vandalisms, as reports of destruction to vehicles, dealers and charging stations that rise across the country.
Early Friday morning, Trump published on his social media platform: “People who are caught up in saboting Teslas will have a very good chance of going to prison for up to twenty years and that includes financing. We are looking for you !!!”
He also suggested that those found guilty of participating in Tesla-related crimes could be sent to prison in El Salvador, referring to the administration’s controversial steps to deport alleged gang members to the country after Trump signed a proclamation that invokes Alien, although a court of law temporarily blocked authority.
A member of the Seattle Fire Department inspects a burnt Tesla Cybertruck at a Tesla Party in Seattle, 10 Mar. 2025.
Lindsey Wasson/AP
“I look forward to seeing the sick terrorist waves get 20 -year -old prison sentences for what they do for Elon Musk and Tesla,” Trump said in a post. “Maybe they would serve them in the prisons of El Salvador, which has become so recently famous for such lovely conditions.”
The latest attacks aimed at Tesla are reported in Seattle, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Charleston and other cities throughout the United States, since Tesla CEO Elon Musk began its role with the Trump Administration’s Department of Government Efficiency or DOGE.
In a public announcement on Friday night, the FBI said there are registered events aimed at Teslas in at least nine states since January, including arson, shots and graffiti.
“These criminal acts appear to have been carried out by lonely offenders, and all known events took place at night,” the FBI said in public service. “Individuals require a little planning to use rudimentary tactics, such as improvised burning units and firearms, and may perceive these attacks as victim -free property crimes.”
The FBI urged the public to be vigilant and look for suspicious activity in areas around Tesla dealers.
When asked about his comments in the White House on Friday afternoon, Trump called the vandalism suspected “terrorists” and seemed to argue what happened to Tesla vehicles was worse than what happened during the January 6 riots at Capitol.
“You didn’t have that on January 6, I can tell you. You didn’t have anything similar on January 6, which is kind of amazing,” Trump said.
Three people have been indicted for their alleged involvement in the latest attacks against Tesla properties in Salem, Oregon; Loveland, Colorado; and North Charleston, South Carolina. Adam Lansky from Salem was indicted for illegal possession of an unregistered destructive unit on March 5, Lucy Grace Nelson of Lyons, Colorado, was indicted for a counting of malicious destruction of property on February 27, and Daniel Clarke-Pund from North Charleston was charged with fire foundation on March 15 in accordance with federal accused.
Both Lansky and Clarke-Pounds have not entered any pleas, but Nelson did not plead guilty on March 11, according to the Court’s registers.
Attorney General Pam Bondi also spoke against the Tesla Vandalisms and said on Thursday that the three suspects face the “full force of the law” to allegedly use Molotov cocktails to set fire to the electric vehicles and charging stations.
“Days of committing crimes without consequence have ended,” Bondi said in a statement. “Let this be a warning: If you participate in this wave of domestic terrorism against Tesla Educations, the Department of Justice will put you behind columns.”
Several Tesla events continue to emerge across the country, with the latest occurring in Fargo, North Dakota, early Friday morning, when Fire Master found “a small fire in wood chips at the bottom of the electric vehicle chargers in the parking lot,” according to Fargo Fire Department.
President Donald Trump, accompanied by senior adviser in the White House, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, speaks next to a Tesla Model S on the southern lawn of the White House, March 11. 2025 in Washington.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
Officials said the fire is considered “suspicious” and that the cause of the fire is under investigation. It is unclear if the fire damaged chargers, the authorities said.
The New York City police department is also asking for public help identifying two men who sprayed a swastika on a cyber car on Thursday. The incident is investigated by NYPD’s Hat Crime Task Force.
In addition to the company dealing with the recent attacks, Tesla’s shares have tumbled almost 48% this year, and in recent weeks four top officers in the company have sold $ 100 million in stock, according to archives to the US Securities and Exchange Commission.
Musk, the owner of X, released reactions to Trump’s comments on Friday, including one who said “especially the funding”, must be held responsible for these attacks.
A spokesman for Tesla did not immediately respond to ABC News’ request for comment.
