Overview

• Tesla dealerships, charging stations, and vehicles across the U.S. have been targeted in over a dozen acts of vandalism, including arson and gunfire, since late January.
• Incidents include molotov cocktail attacks at a Colorado dealership, arson at charging stations in Massachusetts, and gunfire at a Tesla storefront in Oregon.
• The violence coincides with Elon Musk's controversial role as head of the federal Department of Government Efficiency, where he has enacted sweeping cuts to the federal workforce.
• Tesla's reputation and sales have suffered, with significant declines in vehicle registrations in Europe and China, as well as a 30% drop in its stock price since the start of the year.
• Law enforcement officials warn of escalating risks to public safety, while critics and investors question the impact of Musk's political involvement on Tesla's brand and mission.