Authorities Investigating Tesla Dealerships Targeted in Molotov Cocktail Attacks as Elon Musk Calls Rampant Vandalism 'Evil'

A wave of attacks and vandalism targeting Tesla owners, dealerships, and charging stations has emerged in the U.S. and abroad since Donald Trump took office and appointed Elon Musk to lead the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency.

Attorney General Pam Bondi, in a statement on Tuesday, March 18, called the attacks “nothing short of domestic terrorism.”

“We will continue investigations that impose severe consequences on those involved in these attacks, including those operating behind the scenes to coordinate and fund these crimes,” Bondi added.

The high-profile incidents have occurred across several states since Musk began leading efforts to cut government spending, leading to thousands of federal jobs being slashed. In the Obama administration, Tesla — the electric car company where Musk serves as CEO — received $465 million in loans from the Department of Energy.

“This level of violence is insane and deeply wrong,” Musk wrote on X, per CBS News. “Tesla just makes electric cars and has done nothing to deserve these evil attacks.”

In a statement to CBS News, Tesla Owners of Washington state president Theresa Ramsdell said, “Hate on Elon and Trump all you want — that’s fine and dandy, it’s your choice. It doesn’t justify ruining somebody’s property, vandalizing it, destroying it, setting it on fire. There’s other ways to get your voice heard that’s more effective.”

Here are some of the more recent attacks across the U.S.

Loveland, Colo., Dealership

Two people were arrested in Colorado and face federal charges after a series of February attacks on a Loveland Tesla dealership.

Cooper Jo Frederick, 24, is accused of targeting the dealership on more than one occasion, including a March 7 incident in which he allegedly tossed an incendiary device at the dealership, ABC3340 reported.

Lucy Grace Nelson, 42, was taken into custody for allegedly spray-painting “Nazi cars” on the same Loveland dealership. Authorities allegedly found gasoline, Molotov cocktails and wick materials inside Nelson’s vehicle.

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South Carolina Charging Station

On March 14, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of South Carolina announced Daniel Clarke-Pounder, 24, was charged with arson after he allegedly tossed Molotov cocktails at a Tesla charging station near Charleston on March 7.

“F— Trump” and “Long Live Ukraine” were allegedly spray-painted at the location. Authorities discovered a letter critical of the government and DOGE, according to a federal complaint, per the Post and Courier.

Buffalo Grove, Ill., Service Center

On the same day, March 14, police in Illinois arrested Erin L. White, 27, for allegedly vandalizing with graffiti a Tesla service center in Buffalo Grove. White was charged with felony criminal damage to property and criminal trespass, the Daily Herald reported.

The profanity-filled messages were directed toward Trump and Musk, per the Daily Herald.

Cybertruck Fires in Kansas City

On Monday, March 17, the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives began investigating the Cybertruck fires at a Tesla dealership in Kansas City.

In a statement, the FBI said that “similar incidents have occurred in several states and the FBI and ATF are coordinating with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to gather information.”

Dealerships in Oregon, Seattle and Las Vegas

More attacks have occurred at Tesla dealerships or lots in Tigard and Salem, Ore., Seattle and Las Vegas, per CBS News. 

In the Las Vegas incident, a person dressed in black was seen on video targeting several Teslas with Molotov cocktails at a Tesla Collision Center where the word “resist” was painted on the front door, police said, per the Las Vegas Review-Journal. The suspect fired at least three shots into the vehicles, police said, per the Review-Journal. No injuries resulted from the shots.

At a news briefing on Tuesday, March 18, Assistant Sheriff Dori Koren said investigators believed the attack was “isolated at this time,” per the Review-Journal.  FBI Special Agent in Charge Spencer Evans said at the briefing the attack had “some of the hallmarks” of an act of terrorism, per the Review-Journal.

“Violent acts like this are unacceptable, regardless of where they occur,” he said.