The White House on Wednesday condemned Democrats for not speaking out about attacks on Tesla dealerships and cars, doubling down on the Trump administration’s criticism over the recent targeting of Elon Musk’s company.
“We certainly think it’s despicable the violence that is taking place against Tesla, the company, its employees, and also just Americans who have chosen to drive an electric vehicle,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said at her briefing. “Many of them are Democrats, by the way. Democrats were big supporters of Tesla and of electric vehicles until Elon Musk decided to vote for Donald Trump. So, we would like Democrats to also come out and condemn this heinous violence that we have seen.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi labeled the recent vandalism targeting Tesla dealerships and cars as “domestic terrorism.” The Department of Justice (DOJ) has already charged “several” alleged perpetrators, according to Bondi, who could face up to five years in prison.
When asked if the White House has any indication the attacks are funded by an outside group or if they are organized, Leavitt doubled down that they condemn the events and said that Bondi is investigating them.
“I do you think it’s despicable what is happening, not just to this American company, but also they’re innocent employees, and again, innocent Americans who drive these vehicles and we condemn it whole heartedly,” she said.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D), who was Vice President Harris’s running mate in last year’s election, mocked Tesla’s struggling stock during a speech on Tuesday and said he checks it when he needs “a little boost during the day.”
Leavitt called those remarks “sad.”
“I think that’s quite sad, but I think Governor Walz unfortunately has been living a sad existence after his devastating defeat on Nov. 5,” she said.
Protesters in several states across the country have targeted Tesla’s dealerships, showrooms, charging stations and vehicles. No injuries have been reported in recent attacks, including when multiple Tesla cars were lit on fire in Las Vegas this week. Separately, Cybertrucks were recently damaged at a dealership in Kansas City.
The president told Fox News in an interview on Tuesday that he thinks vandalization on Teslas could be considered political terrorism. Last week, he hinted he would be open to labeling individuals who carry out violence at Tesla dealerships as “domestic terrorists”
