New York City: Nine protesters have been arrested at a Tesla showroom in Manhattan as tensions escalate over Elon Musk’s increasing involvement in US government affairs. Video footage showed police removing a demonstrator from the facility, where a glass door was shattered, while protesters outside chanted for clean air over wealth accumulation.
According to Anadolu Agency, five of the arrested individuals were issued trespassing tickets, while a sixth was cited for resisting arrest and obstruction. These arrests are part of a growing trend of vandalism and protests against Tesla facilities across the country, coinciding with Musk’s deeper role in the US government under President Donald Trump’s administration.
Lucy Grace Nelson, 40, has been accused of launching a series of attacks on a Tesla dealership in Loveland, Colorado. Her actions included throwing Molotov cocktails at a parked Cybertruck and spray-painting “nazi cars” on the building. She returned several times to cause additional damage before her arrest last week and has been charged with multiple felonies. Nelson was released on a personal recognizance bond, police reported.
Other incidents have been reported nationwide, including the intentional setting on fire of more than six Tesla charging stations near Boston, Massachusetts. In Tigard, Oregon, a Tesla dealership experienced at least seven shots fired at its premises last Thursday, damaging vehicles and shattering windows, although no injuries were reported.
These attacks are happening amidst Tesla’s current challenges, as Elon Musk leads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), formerly known as the US Digital Service. Musk’s leadership has resulted in significant reductions in the federal workforce, and his appointment has been met with mixed reactions due to potential conflicts of interest, given his ownership of Tesla, SpaceX, and X.
Musk responded to the vandalism on social media, emphasizing that vandalizing property is not a form of free speech. Loveland Police Chief Tim Doran also condemned the escalating violence, pointing out that there is no direct connection between the Colorado attack and other Tesla-related vandalism across the country. Chief Doran stated, “This is absolutely not the way to make a statement. Putting people’s lives at risk is never the way to do this.”
The protests and vandalism come at a time when Tesla is facing declining sales in key markets. Data indicates that Tesla registrations in Europe fell by 45% year-over-year in January, with similar declines in China. Consequently, Musk’s net worth has decreased by more than $100 billion since mid-December, primarily due to a sharp decline in Tesla’s stock price.
Michael Morris, a Columbia Business School professor and author of “Tribal,” suggested that Musk’s political involvement could be adversely affecting his businesses. Morris stated, “It would be a tragedy for the world if Elon Musk’s good work at Tesla and SpaceX got derailed by cultural blowback against his somewhat amateurish attempts to reform government.”
Despite the challenges, Tesla facilities continue to be targeted. Late Friday, the Tesla dealership in Loveland was set on fire again, with authorities suspecting a copycat suspect unrelated to Nelson’s previous actions.