FBI says it is probing 'increase in violent activity towards Tesla'

WASHINGTON: FBI director Kash Patel said on Monday the bureau was probing what he called "the increase in violent activity towards Tesla," adding the bureau had taken steps in recent days to crack down on such incidents.

"The FBI has been investigating the increase in violent activity towards Tesla, and over the last few days, we have taken additional steps to crack down and coordinate our response.

This is domestic terrorism. Those responsible will be pursued, caught, and brought to justice," Patel said in a post on X, picked up by Reuters.

Articles published in carsifu.my in recent weeks have reported a wave of protests and vandalism targeting Tesla vehicles and showrooms in the US and abroad, driven by backlash against CEO Elon Musk’s political affiliations.

Demonstrations have erupted in cities like Portland, Oregon, while incidents of vandalism were recorded in Belfast and Tasmania, including graffiti labelling Musk a Nazi.

These actions reflect growing global discontent linked to Musk’s political role, prompting US President Donald Trump to condemn the attacks as domestic terrorism.