Tesla is experiencing unprecedented backlash as CEO Elon Musk’s role in the Trump administration continues to spark controversy across the United States and internationally. As head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Musk’s aggressive approach to government restructuring has made Tesla a lightning rod for political expression.
The electric vehicle maker has become the target of a wave of vandalism targeting its showrooms, charging stations, and individual vehicles. In Salem, Oregon, a suspect hurled Molotov cocktails at a dealership before returning with what appeared to be a semi-automatic rifle, causing an estimated $500,000 in damage. Similar incidents have occurred nationwide, with arson reported at Tesla facilities in Colorado, Massachusetts, and Washington state.
The pattern of destruction follows a common thread: explicit opposition to Musk himself. Vandals have spray-painted swastikas and phrases like “Tesla is Fascist” on charging stations from coast to coast. International incidents mirror this trend, with twelve vehicles torched at a French dealership and a Tesla factory near Berlin targeted in an alleged arson attack by a far-left group called Volcano Group.
Individual Tesla owners find themselves caught in the political crossfire. Many report harassment ranging from eggs thrown at their cars to more destructive acts. Some owners have resorted to disguising their vehicles by changing hood emblems or applying bumper stickers with messages like “I bought this before Elon went crazy.”
Financial impact and it’s shift in customer demographics
The backlash has translated into financial trouble for Tesla. The company’s stock has plummeted approximately 48% from its December high, wiping out all gains made since Trump’s election. JPMorgan analysts predict Tesla will deliver its fewest cars in the first quarter than it has in three years, with U.S. sales dropping 5.6% to about 634,000 vehicles in 2024.
Market research reveals a stark political divide among consumers. Strategic Vision, an automotive research firm, reports that Democrats are abandoning the brand in droves. Their surveys show that since 2016, electric car owners were up to four times more likely to identify as Democrats than Republicans. Among Tesla owners specifically, the ratio was consistently two to one in favor of Democrats.
That trend has reversed dramatically this year, with slightly more Tesla buyers now identifying as Republicans. According to Alexander Edwards, president of Strategic Vision, “Democrats are fleeing the brand and saying they won’t consider it in the future, so there is naturally a greater proportion of Republican and independent buyers.”
The percentage of all car buyers who would “definitely consider” a Tesla has fallen from 22% five years ago to just 8% today. This decline coincides with Musk’s increasing political visibility, first with his purchase of Twitter (now X) in 2022 and more dramatically when he publicly backed Trump last July.
Political responses and regional sales polarization
President Trump has attempted to counterbalance this trend, publicly pledging to purchase a Tesla after climbing into a Model S at a White House event. Conservative commentator Sean Hannity followed suit, announcing he bought a Model S Plaid to support the company, noting that a Tesla “has more American parts in it than any other car made in our country.”
However, analysts doubt these efforts will fully offset the boycott. “When you make your product unattractive to half the market, I promise you, you won’t increase your sales,” Edwards noted.
Regional sales data reflects this political polarization. In Democratic strongholds like the San Francisco Bay Area, where Tesla was founded, sales tumbled 17% to 54,000 cars in 2024. Meanwhile, sales jumped 32% in Miami-Fort Lauderdale to nearly 23,000 vehicles, with similar increases in Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, and St. Louis.
The Justice Department has begun investigating incidents of violence and vandalism under Attorney General Pam Bondi, while police departments nationwide have increased security at Tesla facilities. President Trump has stated he will label violence against Tesla showrooms as domestic terrorism, declaring, “I am going to put a stop to it. Because they are harming a great American company.