President Trump issued a stark warning to those vandalizing Tesla dealerships across the U.S., threatening extensive jail time.
“I look forward to watching the sick terrorist thugs get 20 year jail sentences for what they are doing to Elon Musk and Tesla,” Trump wrote early Friday on Truth Social. “Perhaps they could serve them in the prisons of El Salvador, which have become so recently famous for such lovely conditions!”
Trump in a separate post from late Thursday wrote: “WE ARE LOOKING FOR YOU!!!”
On Thursday, Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed that at least three individuals are facing federal charges for attacking Tesla properties with Molotov cocktails in three different states, which have been designated “domestic terrorism.”
The charges, which carry up to 20-year sentences, come amid a wave of violent demonstrations in protest of Musk, the CEO of Tesla and a senior adviser to Trump, amid the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) efforts to overhaul the federal government and slash spending.
The electric vehicle company has also seen a more than 50 percent dip in the stock market since late last year. Administration officials and the president himself have recently thrown their support behind the brand.
Trump earlier this month touted Tesla during an event on the White House lawn and even said he was purchasing a new vehicle. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has also pressed the public to invest in Tesla stock, a move that sparked backlash.
Musk has also been under fire for his seemingly growing influence within the administration as mass layoffs have taken place across the federal workforce. Many have also questioned potential conflicts of interest, as the billionaire is the owner of six companies.
Despite the scrutiny, Trump claimed earlier this week that he would show the same support for other American companies and corporations.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has also signaled that Congress will investigate the attacks against Tesla vehicles and their owners. The Louisiana Republican has touted Musk’s DOGE cuts as “heroic” and argued without evidence that Democrats are behind the incidents.
Teslas have also been vandalized on the streets and some owners have added bumper stickers to their vehicles that read messages like “I bought it before Elon went nuts.”
