Mar 17, 2025
All across the country, protests have been forming in front of Tesla showrooms. But it’s not that Americans have an issue with the idea of an electric vehicle. Rather, the problem is Tesla CEO Elon Musk.
Ever since Musk was appointed to run President Trump's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), he and his team have been on a tear, poking their noses into a wide range of agencies and firing federal employees in short order.
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Not surprisingly, Americans are unhappy, and they've responded by not only protesting outside of Tesla stores, but taking things to the extreme by vandalizing Tesla vehicles. And if this trend continues, it could become problematic for Tesla owners — not to mention the company itself.
Why Tesla vehicles are being targeted
On March 10, CNN reported that a wave of Tesla vandalism was sweeping the country, with police investigating a series of attacks on the automaker's showrooms, vehicles and charging stations.
In Seattle, authorities believe a Tesla that was found ablaze in the Northgate neighborhood was "intentionally set." And while most of the protests have been peaceful to date, the fear is that things could escalate.
Protestors are less than pleased with Musk’s new role in the government, as many have taken issue with the fact that Musk was never elected to his current position and is putting democracy at risk.
"Elon Musk built his fortune on Tesla, and he’s using that to attack our democracy," Evan Sutton, who helped organize a February 15 protest in Seattle, shared with Fox 13. "He has no qualification, he has no meaningful security clearance, he's got a crew of young hackers who are linked credibly to criminal organizations, and they're running around in the federal government making a mess that's going to hurt everyday Americans."
In mid-February, singer Sheryl Crow posted a video of herself waving goodbye to her Tesla. “There comes a time when you have to decide who you are willing to align with,” she wrote in the video’s caption. “So long Tesla.”
Crow also shared plans to donate the money from the sale of her Tesla to National Public Radio, which she wrote is now under threat thanks to Musk.
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What recent events mean for Tesla owners
Tesla sales peaked in 2023 when the company sold more than 670,000 vehicles in the U.S., according to Kelley Blue Book.
But recently, Tesla sales have been sluggish — not just in the U.S., but globally. In California — the biggest domestic market for EVs, thanks to state mandates on emissions — Tesla sales fell for the fifth consecutive quarter, according to the latest data from the California New Car Dealers Association.
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As of March 12, Tesla shares were also down about 39% year to date, though part of that decline can be attributed to a broad stock market plunge fueled by tariff policies and Trump's declaration that he won't rule out a near-term recession.
At this point, it’s unclear as to how recent events will impact Tesla in the long run, and it’s also unclear as to whether vehicle values will be impacted. But if you’re a Tesla owner who’s spooked, that’s understandable.
One thing you may want to do is park your vehicle indoors — either in a parking garage or your home’s garage — until things settle down. Another thing you may want to do is install a dashboard camera so you can record events from your vehicle. And if you must park your Tesla in your driveway, consider a setup where there’s a camera on it at all times.
If you’re thinking about buying a Tesla, be aware of what’s been going on and understand the risks. This isn’t to say that your car is guaranteed to get damaged or that you’re guaranteed to get hassled — though it’s worth noting that protestors have taken to chanting “sell your car” when Tesla owners drive by.
Also, if you’re going to buy a Tesla, or if you own one, make sure you understand what protections your auto insurance policy offers in light of recent events.
In time, anti-Tesla sentiment could settle down. But for now, it’s best to be cautious.
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Maurie Backman has been writing professionally for well over a decade. Since becoming a full-time writer, she's produced thousands of articles on topics ranging from Social Security to investing to real estate.
