Tesla ‘terrorists’ double down against President Donald Trump

As Donald Trump threatens to prosecute growing unrest over Elon Musk’s political activities as terrorism, protesters have upped the ante.

Protesters fed up with Elon Musk’s involvement in US politics have turned their attention to President Donald Trump following an unusual press conference on the White House Lawn.

President Trump posed in front of a red Tesla on Tuesday (local time), praising the brand’s cars as “a great product” and “as good as it gets” in a show of support for embattled Tesla chief executive Elon Musk.

Musk’s company has come under fire – in many cases, literally – from protesters using everything from placards and paint to bullets and molotov cocktails to express their feelings toward his political involvement.

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US President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk speak to the press as they stand next to a Tesla vehicle on the South Portico of the White House on March 11, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP)

Musk has supported far-right-wing political groups in Europe, where Tesla sites have been vandalised and firebombed, as well as backing President Trump in the US election.

The billionaire’s role supporting the Trump administration and its Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) drive to slash government costs and jobs, has prompted “Tesla Takeover” protests in some parts of the US.

Trump said he could consider prosecuting anti-Tesla protesters as domestic terrorists.

However that has done little to quell unrest.

A statement published by the #TeslaTakedown movement said “the right to peaceful protest is a fundamental part of American democracy”.

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A man is arrested during a "TeslaTakedown" protest against Elon Musk outside of a Tesla dealership in New York, March 1, 2025. (Photo by Leonardo Munoz / AFP)

“By singling out his biggest donor’s business as somehow outside of that democracy, Trump is yet again showing us who he is: a corrupt would-be king. Americans won’t stand for that,” it said.

“We are a nonviolent grassroots protest movement.

“We oppose violence and destruction of property. Peaceful protest on public property is not domestic terrorism. They are trying to intimidate us. We will not let them succeed.

“It’s ironic that Donald Trump wants to label our peaceful movement as domestic terrorism.

“This is the man who sent a violent crowd to Capitol Hill to steal an election he lost, then pardoned more than 1,600 rioters who were found guilty by juries of their peers of serious crimes against the United States of America.

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Police in Oregon say shots were fired at a Tesla dealership. Photo: Tigard Police Department

“We will not be bullied or allow our rights to be trampled on or stolen. If you’re ready to show Donald Trump and Elon Musk that there are no kings in America, join a Tesla Takedown protest in your community this weekend.”