US President Donald Trump declared that any violence directed at Tesla dealerships will be classified as domestic terrorism, warning that offenders will face severe consequences.
This statement was made on March 11, during an event at the White House where Trump expressed his support for Tesla's CEO, Elon Musk, a personal friend.
Following the president's appearance with Musk, Tesla's stock saw a nearly 4% increase, recovering from a significant drop the previous day.
Recent protests, dubbed Tesla Takedown, have emerged in response to Musk's involvement in federal workforce reductions and the cancellation of humanitarian contracts, actions influenced by Trump.
Musk, who leads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), was present with Trump, who criticized the protesters for harming a prominent American company.
White House spokesperson Harrison Fields labeled the violent actions against " Tesla" as domestic terrorism.
Protests have occurred in various locations, including a significant demonstration in Portland, Oregon, and arrests in New York City, alongside reports of vandalism against Tesla properties. An organizer of the protests claimed their actions were peaceful and denounced violence.