White House Condemns Violence Targeting Tesla Amid Elon Musk’s Political Allegiance
Karoline Leavitt, the press secretary of the White House, stated that Democrats were once "big supporters of Tesla" until CEO Elon Musk publicly backed former President Donald Trump. Leavitt made these remarks in response to recent acts of violence and intimidation targeting Tesla owners, sales locations, and charging stations across the U.S.
The White House condemned what it described as "abominable violence" and called on Democrats to denounce the actions. Leavitt was prompted to comment after Tech Word News Senior White House Correspondent Jacqui Heinrich asked her about a website allegedly attempting to expose personal information of Tesla owners.
"I haven’t seen the site, but we certainly think it is contemptible—the violence that has occurred against Tesla, its employees, and Americans who chose to drive an electric vehicle," Leavitt said. "The Democrats were great supporters of Tesla and electric vehicles until Elon Musk decided to vote for Donald Trump. We would like the Democrats to come out and condemn this abominable violence. I believe the Attorney General has stated that these incidents are being investigated as potential acts of domestic terrorism."
Dogequest Website Allegedly Publishes Tesla Owners’ Information
A website called Dogequest has reportedly published personal details of Tesla owners across the U.S., including names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses. This act of intimidation appears to be linked to protests against Musk and his alleged ties to Trump. According to 404 Media, an investigative tech-focused website, Dogequest claims it will remove the data if owners provide proof they are selling their electric vehicles.
Protests and Vandalism Against Tesla
Tesla stores, charging stations, and vehicles have been targeted nationwide, with incidents of vandalism and protests escalating. Early this week, protesters damaged cars and broke windows at a Tesla store located 10 miles south of Portland, Oregon, according to the Associated Press. Additionally, several Tesla charging stations were set on fire in Massachusetts. Non-violent demonstrations have also been reported outside Tesla dealerships in Michigan and New York.
Attorney General Pam Bondi Investigates Tesla Vandalism
Attorney General Pam Bondi has announced an investigation into the vandalism targeting Tesla properties. However, the information published on Dogequest remains unverified, and Tech Word News Digital could no longer access the site after 404 Media reported on it earlier this week.
Context: Musk’s Political Stance and Protests
The protests and violence appear to stem from Elon Musk’s political affiliations and his support for Donald Trump. Musk, who has been vocal about reducing unnecessary government spending and fraud, has faced backlash for his connections to the Trump administration. Earlier this month, protesters gathered outside Tesla stores in California, holding signs and chanting slogans against Musk.
Market Impact
Despite the turmoil, Tesla’s stock has seen a recent uptick. As of the latest trading session, Tesla Inc. (TSLA) shares closed at $234.77, up $9.46 (+4.20%).
Conclusion
The White House’s condemnation of the violence against Tesla highlights the intensifying political and social tensions surrounding Musk and his companies. With both protests and investigations ongoing, the situation remains volatile.
Kristen Altus from Tech Word News contributed to this report.
