Sunday, 19 July 2026

Subscribe Now Support Us

Daily Tribune

Sunday, 19 July 2026

News
Commentary
Business
Life
Show
Sports
Global Goals

Partner feature

The Philippines' leading digital newspaper.

Headlines
Page three
Metro
Nation
World
Dyaryo Tirada
Obituary (Remember Me)

Columnists
Opinion
Editorial
Scuttlebutt
Letter to the Editor

Shipping
Portraits
Pep
Business Advisories
Technology (Tech Talks)

Show
Food & Drink
Getaways
Arts & Culture
Social Set
Spaces
Fashion & Beauty
The Edit
Top Form
Next Gen
Sacred Space
Project Larawan
Snaps

Hoops
Volley
Golf
Goal
Boxing
Tennis
Esports
Blast

Company

About
Contact
Advertise
Privacy
Subscribe
Support Us

© 2026 Daily Tribune · tribune.net.ph · Powered by Quintype

Search Daily Tribune

Tesla faces violent attacks amid growing backlash | Daily Tribune

Tesla under attack: rising violence targets Musk’s company

A surge in arson, vandalism, and gunfire at Tesla locations raises concerns over safety and the company’s future.

DT·9 March 2025, 11:40 am·1 min read

Text size

Share

Tesla under attack: rising violence targets Musk’s company — People participate in a "Tesla Takedown" protest against Elon Musk outside a Tesla dealership in Pasadena, California, 8 March 2025. US President Donald Trump's senior advisor Elon Musk is leading the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has cut thousands of government jobs and upended agencies, prompting numerous court challenges.
Frederic J. BROWN / AFP

Partner feature

Stay informed

Get Daily Tribune in your inbox

Breaking news, opinion, and business coverage for readers in the Philippines and abroad.

Subscribe to the newsletter

Read next

Higher electricity bills seen in summer capital

What's your take?

Share

Google Preferred Sources

Get more Daily Tribune stories in your search results

Add Daily Tribune as a preferred source on Google Search.

Continue reading

Meralco expands #Mbrace program to strengthen workplace inclusion
Shell concept car targets faster EV charging
Meralco expands push for future-ready energy workforce

Partner feature

Partner feature

Suggested Articles

ACMobility expands public transport charging

ACMobility and Basic Energy Corporation have joined forces to build more electric vehicle charging hubs for public…

DT·13 July 2026

Hyundai Staria goes hybrid

Hyundai Motor Philippines has launched the refreshed Staria with a hybrid powertrain, updated styling and new connected…

DT·13 July 2026

Green GSM puts Davao service ahead of price

Price often decides which ride-hailing app a commuter opens, but fare alone rarely determines which trips people…

DT·13 July 2026

Tesla battery has palawan roots

The journey may be longer than you think. Nickel mined in Rio Tuba, Palawan doesn’t simply leave the Philippines — it…

Mico Virata·12 July 2026

Costlier electricity hits households in July

Meralco’s overall residential rate increased by P0.3428 per kilowatt-hour to P14.8261 per kWh this month from P14.4833…

Maria Bernadette Romero·11 July 2026

The growing controversy surrounding Elon Musk has taken a violent turn, with Tesla storefronts, charging stations, and vehicles becoming frequent targets of arson, vandalism, and even gunfire. A series of attacks across the United States has alarmed law enforcement and raised concerns about the electric carmaker’s future amid mounting public backlash.

Escalating attacks on Tesla

In Loveland, Colorado, a woman allegedly firebombed a Tesla dealership using molotov cocktails, spray-painted anti-Musk messages, and defaced the building with slurs. In Salem, Oregon, a gunman fired at a Tesla storefront after previously throwing firebombs at the same location, causing an estimated $500,000 in damages. Other incidents include Tesla superchargers being set on fire in Massachusetts and anti-Musk graffiti in Maryland.

Law enforcement officials are investigating these acts as arson and vandalism, warning that the attacks could escalate further. "Whether it is politically motivated or not, arson and destruction of property is not the way to get your point across," said Matthew Pinard, police chief of Littleton, Massachusetts, where several Tesla chargers were torched.

Public backlash and brand impact

The violence comes at a time when Tesla is already struggling. The company’s stock has dropped by more than 35% since the beginning of the year, and sales have plummeted, particularly in Germany, where they fell by 76% in February. Many former Tesla owners have voiced concerns about the brand’s association with Musk’s controversial political stance, which has shifted dramatically in recent years.

Ross Gerber, a longtime Tesla investor, warns that the ongoing attacks could deter potential customers. "It may create a chilling effect where people don’t want to associate with Tesla or deal with the risk of vandalism," he said.

Musk’s political influence fuels tensions

Musk’s growing political influence has polarized public opinion, particularly as he aligns himself with former President Donald Trump and far-right political figures. Critics argue that his support for controversial policies and inflammatory rhetoric have contributed to Tesla’s declining public perception.

Despite this, some analysts believe that Tesla could benefit in the long run. Dan Ives, an analyst at Wedbush Securities, stated that Musk’s relationship with Trump could lead to favorable regulations on autonomous driving, which he sees as key to Tesla’s future growth. "Some of these distraction issues will fade," Ives noted.

A growing concern for law enforcement

As the wave of attacks continues, police worry that the next incident could turn deadly. Authorities stress that political disagreements should not lead to criminal acts, urging the public to express their concerns through legal channels instead.

"Whether you like Musk or not, this is not the way to do it," said Paul Campbell, deputy superintendent of the Brookline Police Department. "Violence and destruction only put more people at risk."

With Tesla already facing significant business challenges, the company now has an additional battle to fight—one that plays out not in boardrooms, but in the streets.

(Sources: AFP, Washington Post, AP)

electric vehicles
Vandalism
Tesla attacks
Elon Musk controversy

Also read

More than 250,000 sign petition stripping ‘enemy’ Musk of Canadian citizenship

In a now-deleted post Monday, Musk mocked the petition, claiming ‘Canada is not a real country’

Agence France-Presse·27 February 2025