President Donald Trump issued a stern warning to those involved in vandalizing Tesla vehicles, dealerships, and charging stations across the nation. In a social media post early Friday morning, Trump stated that individuals caught sabotaging Teslas could face up to twenty years in jail, including those supporting the crimes. He emphasized that the authorities are actively seeking the perpetrators.
Furthermore, Trump suggested that those found guilty of these crimes could be sent to prison in El Salvador, alluding to a controversial move by the administration to deport alleged gang members to the country. Recent incidents of Tesla vandalism have been reported in various cities such as Seattle, Kansas City, Las Vegas, and Charleston, prompting concerns and actions from law enforcement agencies.
The FBI disclosed that attacks targeting Teslas have occurred in at least nine states since January, involving arson, gunfire, and vandalism. The FBI emphasized that these criminal acts, often perpetrated at night by lone offenders, pose a threat and urged the public to remain vigilant, particularly around Tesla dealerships.
In response to the incidents, three individuals have been charged in connection with recent attacks in Salem, Oregon; Loveland, Colorado; and North Charleston, South Carolina. The suspects are facing various charges related to destructive acts against Tesla properties.
Attorney General Pam Bondi condemned the vandalism, affirming that the suspects will face the full consequences of the law for their actions. The message is clear that criminal behavior, such as the destruction of Tesla vehicles, will not go unpunished.
“Consider this a cautionary message: anyone involved in the recent series of attacks on Tesla properties will face legal consequences as the Department of Justice is prepared to take action.”More incidents involving Tesla have been reported across the nation, including a recent incident in Fargo, North Dakota, where fire crews discovered a small fire near the electric vehicle chargers in a parking lot early Friday morning, as reported by the Fargo Fire Department.PHOTO: President Donald Trump, accompanied by White House Senior Advisor and Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, discusses next to a Tesla Model S on the South Lawn of the White House on Mar. 11, 2025 in Washington. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)Authorities have labeled the fire as “suspicious” and are currently investigating its cause. It remains uncertain whether the chargers were damaged due to the fire, according to officials.The New York City Police Department is seeking public assistance in identifying two individuals who defaced a Cyber Truck with a swastika on Thursday. The incident is being handled by the NYPD’s Hate Crime Task Force.Amidst the recent attacks, Tesla has also witnessed a significant decline in its stocks, dropping by nearly 48% this year. Additionally, recent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission indicate that four top officers at the company have collectively sold $100 million in stock over the past few weeks.Musk, the founder of X, shared reactions to Trump’s remarks on Friday, including one that emphasized holding “ESPECIALLY the funders” accountable for these acts.A Tesla spokesperson did not provide an immediate response to ABC News’ request for comments.Trump proposes that individuals responsible for vandalizing Teslas should be prosecuted in El Salvador as originally reported on abcnews.go.com
