Tesla under attack— and Elon Musk says he knows who's behind it

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has claimed that rising attacks on Tesla owners and businesses are being fueled by political rhetoric.
In an interview with Fox News' Bret Baier on Special Report Thursday, Musk argued that the real culprits are not just the individuals carrying out acts of vandalism but those spreading anti-Tesla narratives.

"The real problem is not the people. It's not like the crazy guy that firebombs a Tesla dealership," Musk said. "It's the people pushing the propaganda that cause that guy to do it. Those are the real villains here."

Musk believes that growing hostility toward Tesla stems from criticism of his leadership at the department of government efficiency (DOGE), a federal agency that has significantly cut government spending and jobs. He accused Democratic leaders, particularly those opposing DOGE, of fueling resentment against Tesla and its customers.

"They are being fed propaganda by the far left, and they believe it," Musk said.

Reports of Tesla-related incidents have been mounting, ranging from vandalism and graffiti to more extreme cases like arson and shootings targeting Tesla vehicles and dealerships.

"Tesla is a peaceful company that has made great cars, great products. That's all it's done. It hasn't harmed anyone. And yet people are committing violence," Musk said. "They are firebombing Tesla dealerships. They are shooting guns into stores. They are threatening people. They are issuing death threats against me and other Tesla personnel.

Musk revealed that the Trump administration is taking action.

"The president has made it clear: We're going after them. The ones providing the money, the ones pushing the lies and propaganda. We're going after them," Musk said.

When asked why he continues leading DOGE despite the backlash, Musk likened the attacks against him to those faced by US President Donald Trump, particularly accusations of extremism.

"They called the president all these things… At one point, there was a magazine cover that said the president was worse than Hitler, Mussolini, and Stalin combined. And the president hasn't killed anyone. He hasn't started any wars. In fact, he's good at stopping wars," Musk said.

He argued that such rhetoric is part of a larger strategy to undermine both his and Trump's policies.

"Why do they push these lies? I think we need to hold people responsible for pushing these lies, because those lies almost got the president killed," he said.