Tesla Under Siege: Protests, Vandalism, Stock Plunge, and Cyberattacks Shake Elon Musk’s Empire
Tesla is facing a turbulent 2025 as a wave of protests, vandalism, and cyberattacks threaten its reputation and financial stability. The electric vehicle giant, helmed by billionaire Elon Musk, has been targeted by demonstrations, violent attacks, and a hacking campaign, all while its stock price plummets due to intensifying global competition.
Tesla Dealerships and Vehicles Targeted Amid Political Backlash
While the cause of a recent Tesla facility fire remains unknown, the company has become the focal point of protests and vandalism both in the U.S. and abroad. This backlash is reportedly tied to Musk’s involvement with the Trump administration, specifically through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has enforced sweeping federal job cuts and contract cancellations.
Demonstrators at various Tesla locations have voiced their displeasure, carrying signs and chanting slogans like “Elon Musk has to go.” The tension escalated further last week when Oregon police, in collaboration with the FBI, launched an investigation into gunshots fired at a Tesla dealership. Authorities suspect political motivations behind the attack, citing similar incidents targeting Tesla locations across Oregon and the nation.
In another case, Lucy Grace Nelson from Colorado faces charges of malicious destruction of property for allegedly vandalizing a Tesla dealership. If convicted, she could serve over 20 years in prison. Meanwhile, in Brookline, Massachusetts, an individual caught defacing a Tesla justified their actions as an exercise of “free speech,” sparking intense debate on social media.
Tesla Stock Crashes as Market Confidence Wavers
Tesla’s financial struggles have compounded its challenges, with the company losing significant ground in the stock market. Increased competition from emerging electric car manufacturers, particularly from China, has pressured Tesla’s sales and revenue. Additionally, its perceived ties with Trump and far-right movements worldwide have alienated some investors and consumers.
As a result, Tesla’s stock has suffered a staggering 45% decline year-to-date. On Monday, shares nosedived over 15%, closing at $222.15—levels not seen since late October—amplifying investor concerns over the company’s uncertain future.
X Faces Cyberattack, Disrupting Millions
Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, was hit by a massive distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack on Monday, leaving users unable to access their feeds for hours. The hacker group Dark Storm Team, founded in September 2023, claimed responsibility for the breach, though its motives remain unclear.
Musk speculated that the attack was carried out by either a “large, coordinated group and/or a country.” The outage was significant, with over 40,000 reports flooding Downdetector during the second of three disruptions. By mid-afternoon, X had restored normal operations, but concerns linger about potential future attacks against Musk’s digital empire.
SpaceX Starship Rocket Explodes Mid-Air
Adding to Musk’s recent woes, SpaceX suffered a high-profile failure last week when its Starship rocket exploded mid-flight during a much-anticipated test launch. The vehicle, which initially appeared to be operating smoothly, suddenly spiraled out of control about 10 minutes after liftoff, scattering debris over the Caribbean.
This marked the eighth test for the Starship program, which is integral to Musk’s long-term vision of interplanetary travel. Despite the setback, SpaceX remains committed to refining its next-generation spacecraft technology as it races toward future Mars missions.
As Tesla, X, and SpaceX navigate these challenges, all eyes remain on Musk’s response to the mounting crises.
