Idaho Man Arrested After Striking Counter-Protester at Tesla Demonstration

Christopher Talbot, 70, faces aggravated battery charges after allegedly hitting a Trump supporter with his car during a protest at a Tesla dealership in Meridian, Idaho.

Christopher Talbot was arrested and charged with aggravated battery for allegedly striking a counter-protester with his car during a Tesla protest in Meridian, Idaho, on March 29, 2025.
The victim, a 49-year-old man displaying pro-Trump flags on his truck, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and drove himself to a hospital for treatment.
The incident occurred during a protest involving 30 anti-Tesla demonstrators and 200 counter-protesters, reflecting tensions tied to Elon Musk's political role in the Trump administration.
Police tracked Talbot using his vehicle's license plate and arrested him at his home without incident, emphasizing the need to respect First Amendment rights and avoid violence.
Nationwide protests and vandalism targeting Tesla continue, with Elon Musk blaming the 'far left' for the unrest and federal agencies investigating attacks as potential domestic terrorism.