Overview

• Fox News host Harris Faulkner raised the possibility of using the federal death penalty for Tesla vandals during an interview with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
• Leavitt emphasized the administration's commitment to pursuing the harshest penalties for acts of vandalism against Tesla, without ruling out capital punishment.
• The White House has labeled the vandalism as dangerous and potentially domestic terrorism, citing arson and other attacks on Tesla vehicles and facilities.
• The backlash against Tesla is tied to Elon Musk's public support for Donald Trump, which has alienated some of the company's former supporters.
• President Trump reinstated the federal death penalty in January 2025, with officials suggesting it could be applied in extreme cases of politically motivated violence.