Elon Musk has finally broken his silence regarding a string of alarming attacks that have resulted in significant damage to Tesla showrooms, charging stations, and electric vehicles (EVs) across the United States and beyond. Amid ongoing protests and public dissent towards his leadership of the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the controversy continues to escalate. Meanwhile, Tesla’s stock values have plummeted, prompting urgent calls for accountability in light of recent events.
On March 10, 2025, a fire in Seattle that damaged four Tesla Cybertrucks is the most recent incident under investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Seattle Fire Department officials confirmed that the fire, which originated in the Tesla lot located in the city’s industrial district late on a Sunday evening, was deliberately set, although no injuries were reported. A spokesperson from the Seattle Fire Department, David Cuerpo, explained, “Crews extinguished a fire involving four electric vehicles. They then moved the involved vehicles away from anything else that can catch fire.”
A journalist on the scene, Jonathan Choe, captured video footage, where an off-camera voice speculated about the possibility of arson. “Unclear how this all started, but with everything that’s happening in America right now with anti-Elon Musk hate, all the protests and incidents of vandalism, it appears to be arson,” conveyed the person.
This latest act of violence is part of a broader trend aimed squarely at Tesla. Just prior to the Seattle incident, a Tesla showroom in France suffered devastation when a fire, suspected to be arson, destroyed multiple vehicles. Further, the FBI is working in tandem with local law enforcement in Oregon to investigate gunfire directed at a Tesla dealership. This escalated tension follows the recent charging of a woman in Colorado for vandalising a Tesla dealership, where Molotov cocktails were utilised, and derogatory phrases were spray-painted on its walls.
In a frantic display of aggression, footage surfaced online showing citizens taking a sledgehammer to a parked Tesla. These incidents suggest a mounting hostility towards the brand, possibly catalysed by Musk’s current visibility in the public eye. Following his appointment by President Donald Trump as the head of DOGE, Musk has implemented extensive federal job cuts and the elimination of various government programmes, which has ignited waves of protests and backlash from multiple sectors.
In response to the destruction of the Cybertrucks in Seattle, Musk expressed his outrage, stating simply, “This is crazy.” His remarks echo the sentiment of dismay shared by many Tesla supporters who fear for the safety and future of electric vehicles amidst growing hostilities.
As investigations into these violent occurrences continue, the broader implications of these attacks not only jeopardise the reputation of Tesla but also highlight the fragile state of public sentiment towards Musk’s ample undertakings in government and industry.