DOGE chief Elon Musk reacted to a clip from The Daily Show, in which its audience appeared to applaud acts of vandalism and arson targeting Tesla properties.
“This is super messed up,” he wrote on social media platform X.
The clip was from an episode hosted by Jordan Klepper. The Daily Show is an American late-night talk and satirical news program.
The surge in attacks coincides with Donald Trump’s return to the White House, where he has empowered Musk to oversee a new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) focused on cutting federal spending. While no injuries have been reported, law enforcement agencies are scrambling to respond to the escalating destruction.
Experts suggest Tesla has become a focal point for political unrest.
“Tesla is an easy target,” said Randy Blazak, a sociologist studying political violence. “They’re rolling down our streets. They have dealerships in our neighbourhoods.”
Peaceful protests at Tesla showrooms have been common, but in recent weeks, some demonstrations have turned violent.
- In Colorado, a woman was charged with allegedly throwing Molotov cocktails at Tesla dealerships and spray-painting “Nazi cars” on a building.
- In South Carolina, federal agents arrested a man accused of setting fire to Tesla charging stations. Authorities reportedly discovered anti-government writings in his home, criticising both the government and DOGE.
- The Pacific Northwest has seen some of the most high-profile attacks. In Salem, Oregon, a man allegedly hurled multiple Molotov cocktails at a Tesla store before returning days later to shoot out its windows. In nearby Tigard, a Tesla showroom was shot at more than a dozen times, marking the second attack on the store in a week.
- Seattle has been particularly hard hit. Four Cybertrucks were torched in a Tesla lot earlier this month. Just last Friday, a man was seen dousing a Model S in petrol and setting it alight on a city street.
- In Las Vegas, multiple Tesla vehicles were set on fire outside a service centre on Tuesday, with the word “resist” spray-painted in red across the front doors. Officials say Molotov cocktails were used in the attack, along with gunfire.
Musk, for his part, believes at least some of the violence is coordinated.
“At least some of it is organised and paid for by left-wing organisations in America, funded by left-wing billionaires, essentially,” he claimed during an appearance on Senator Ted Cruz’s podcast.
