The US President Donald Trump indicated his willingness to classify perpetrators of violence at Tesla dealerships as "domestic terrorists" after a series of aggressive demonstrations at the company's showrooms nationwide.
During a White House press conference on Tuesday, a journalist questioned Trump regarding incidents of violence at Tesla dealerships. The reporter specifically mentioned that some people believe the perpetrators should be classified as domestic terrorists, to which Trump agreed.
"I will do that, I'll do it. I'm going to stop them," Trump said.
"Those people are going to go through a big problem when we catch them. We've got a lot of cameras up, we already know who some of them are. We're going to catch them. And they're bad guys. They're the same guys that screw around with our schools and universities, the same garbage," Trump added. "And, no, we're going to catch them. And let me tell you, you do it to Tesla, and you do it to any company, we're going to catch you and you're going to go through hell."
The President stated he would extend similar protection to other US companies and corporations.
"If we catch anybody doing it, because they're harming a great American company. I've stuck up for the NFL, I've stuck up for a lot of American companies and other companies, but American companies," he said.
Trump spokesperson Harrison Fields echoed the 'domestic terrorism' label in a statement to The Hill. "The ongoing and heinous acts of violence against Tesla by radical Leftist activists are nothing short of domestic terror. President Trump has been clear, these attacks, or any other attack to intimidate or coerce our government or it's people will not stand in President Trump's America," he said.
The President addressed various questions from journalists on Tuesday alongside Tesla CEO Elon Musk, a senior adviser to Trump, whilst examining Tesla vehicles displayed at the White House.
Musk faces increasing criticism regarding his implementation of Trump's planned reductions in federal workforce through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The extensive redundancies, budget reductions and enhanced access to sensitive information have generated significant opposition.
Trump backs Tesla amid controversy
Consequently, Musk's electric vehicle enterprise has become a target.
Recent weeks have seen protesters targeting numerous Tesla showrooms, with some electric vehicles vandalised on streets. Some Tesla owners have affixed bumper stickers stating "I bought it before Elon went nuts."
In Colorado, authorities arrested a protester last month for allegedly spray-painting "Nazi" beneath the Tesla sign and deploying Molotov cocktails during multiple incidents.
Tesla's shares have significantly declined, falling over 50 per cent since December. Monday saw a drop exceeding 15 per cent, the largest decline in more than four years.
Trump buys Tesla car
Amidst the opposition, Trump, on Tuesday, bought a Tesla car (Model S) from Elon Musk after Musk lined up a few Teslas in front of the White House for the President to choose. Trump even went behind the wheels and Musk showed him the inside of the car.
Read more: Donald Trump buys red Tesla Model S from Elon Musk"I'm going to buy because number one, it's a great product. As good as it gets. Number two, because this man [Elon Musk] has devoted his energy and his life to doing this, and I think he has been treated unfairly," Trump had said, announcing his intention to buy, while alongside Musk.
"I mean, nobody else has a car company started up in the last 30 years that's been successful, I don't think so," Trump continued, adding, "But because he's finding all sorts of terrible things that have taken place against our country, we want to penalize him in an economic sense. And I just think that's very unfair. So I just wanted to make a statement. I'm going to buy one now."
As tRump chose a Tesla to buy, Musk announced boosting production in America. “As a function of the great policies of President Trump and his administration, and as an act of faith in America, Tesla is going to DOUBLE vehicle output in the United States within the next two years," said the Tesla owner.