As Tesla protests spread, so does the backlash. Peaceful demonstrators holding signs are being lumped together with masked vandals throwing Molotov cocktails. The distinction between legitimate activism and violence is becoming increasingly blurred—both on social media and in Washington.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has called the attacks on Tesla “domestic terrorism”, threatening to send the “terrorist thugs” to El Salvador’s prisons. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has vowed to take legal action against those funding or coordinating these crimes behind the scenes, despite evidence suggesting that these attacks were carried out by lone actors. Musk’s decision to accuse at least one peaceful protester of “committing crimes” has further fueled the debate—blurring the line between peaceful protest, vandalism, and terrorism.
If authorities begin treating all anti-Tesla actions as criminal, peaceful demonstrators may face the same consequences as extremists.
Is Law Enforcement Criminalizing Dissent?
Mike German, a former FBI special agent and fellow at the Brennan Center for Liberty & National Security, highlighted a troubling trend:
“Terrorism laws are problematic for law enforcement because their inherently political nature makes them different from other violent crimes. This is why counterterrorism measures often end up targeting people engaged in First Amendment-protected activities rather than those committing acts of violence.”
The Tesla Takedown movement has consistently promoted nonviolence through public rallies and its website. Its stated goal is not to cause physical harm to Tesla or Musk, but rather to encourage people to:
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Sell their Tesla vehicles
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Dump Tesla stock
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Stop buying new Teslas
Natasha Perdom, an organizer from New Jersey, explained their strategy:
“Musk’s power comes from his wealth. We believe that if we continue driving down Tesla’s stock price, we can hit him where it hurts. Ultimately, we see this as a key step toward reversing some of the massive damage happening in our federal government—thanks to DOGE and Elon Musk.”
Musk, the world's richest man due to his Tesla shares, owns around 13% of the company, currently valued at $829 billion, making his stake worth $107.8 billion. This wealth enabled him to spend $44 billion acquiring Twitter (now X), which he uses as his primary platform to communicate with his 219 million followers. He has also donated over $260 million to U.S. political action committees (PACs) that helped Trump secure electoral victories.
FBI Surveillance of Protesters?
German, who spent 16 years focusing on domestic terrorism at the FBI, said he wouldn't be surprised if local law enforcement is now coordinating with federal terrorism task forces to monitor Tesla Takedown protests.
Under Attorney General Bondi’s guidance, the FBI can begin physical surveillance of individuals suspected of terrorism without needing concrete evidence. This includes:
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Taking photos of people, cars, and license plates
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Deploying informants to infiltrate groups
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Accessing private databases
German emphasized that the primary mission of U.S. law enforcement has historically been to protect the property of the wealthy:
“Corporations in America are politically powerful, with direct access to elected officials and top law enforcement figures. When their interests are challenged—especially through protests—they frame it as a law enforcement issue rather than legitimate public concern.”
The FBI has declined to comment on whether the agency is taking any specific actions this weekend.
"We Will Go After Them"—Musk and Trump Escalate Their Rhetoric
As March 29 approaches, Musk and Trump have ramped up their statements. At least 213 Tesla Takedown protests are scheduled worldwide—from Colorado and Kentucky to Germany, Minnesota, France, and Texas.
On Thursday, Musk appeared on Fox News' "Special Report", stating that he and Trump plan to "go after" those providing financial support and spreading "lies and propaganda."
Trump has claimed—without evidence—that the attacks on Tesla facilities were intended to intimidate Musk. Meanwhile, Musk has alleged that some Tesla Takedown organizers are being funded by ActBlue, a nonprofit that supports progressive causes and Democratic candidates.
Attorney General Bondi has also accused Democratic Representative Jasmine Cricket (D-TX) of "inciting further insurrection." Last week, Cricket stated during a virtual Tesla Takedown rally that "Musk needs to be removed", though she explicitly called for peaceful demonstrations. Regardless, Bondi warned that Cricket should "be very careful."
Government Tactics to Discredit Protests?
Experts argue that this rhetoric follows a familiar government strategy—to delegitimize and suppress protest movements by claiming that "isolated acts of violence are the result of dangerous ideologies."
One of Tesla Takedown’s organizers, Perdom, urged protesters to prioritize their safety:
"If you feel unsafe, leave. Follow local protest guidelines. Do not trespass. Comply with police orders. And always keep a lawyer’s number in your back pocket—just in case."
Stephanie Frizzell, a Tesla Takedown organizer from Dallas, emphasized that authoritarian governments have a long history of equating peaceful protest with violence:
"The Tesla Takedown movement has always been and will always remain nonviolent. They want to intimidate us into silence because we are standing against Musk’s destructive actions. But free speech is fundamental to democracy. We will not back down."
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