In Berlin on Friday, four Tesla vehicles were set on fire in what appears to be the latest act of protest targeting the car manufacturer since CEO Elon Musk became a prominent figure in President Donald Trump’s administration. The fires occurred in the early morning hours in the Plänterwald and Steglitz neighborhoods, with German police suggesting that political motives may be involved.
The first fire was reported just before 2 a.m., followed by three more shortly after. While no injuries were reported, the four vehicles were destroyed beyond repair, and nearby cars were also damaged. Authorities are investigating the cause, but political motivations have not been ruled out.
The fires come amid a series of targeted attacks against Tesla. Ever since Musk’s appointment to head the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under Trump, there has been a surge in protests and vandalism aimed at the company. DOGE has been responsible for significant cuts to federal jobs, leading to backlash from various activist groups.
In Oregon, gunshots were fired at a Tesla dealership twice in one week, causing significant damage. Protests against Musk’s involvement in the Trump administration have also taken place in New York City, where demonstrators gathered at a Tesla showroom to express their frustrations.
Arson attacks have spread globally, with 12 Tesla vehicles set on fire in Toulouse, France, and several Tesla charging stations targeted in Massachusetts. In Seattle, graffiti and a suspected arson attack on a Tesla storage lot also made headlines. Investigations are ongoing in several of these incidents.
Activist groups have also linked Musk to far-right movements, pointing to his associations with extremist figures and Nazi imagery used by some political groups. In January, a protest outside Tesla’s Berlin Gigafactory projected an image of Musk in a gesture resembling a Nazi salute, along with the words “Heil Tesla.”
Musk’s connection to Trump has led to further controversy. Trump, during a visit to the White House, showed his support for Tesla by purchasing a new car, despite the ongoing backlash against Musk’s role in advancing Trump’s political agenda. Meanwhile, Trump dismissed the protestors as “radical left lunatics” and labeled them as “domestic terrorists.”
Despite the ongoing controversy, Tesla’s stock price saw a slight increase this week after a sharp decline since Trump’s re-election. However, the damage to the company’s reputation continues to mount, with protests and violence escalating worldwide.
