Dozens of Tesla vehicles were damaged at a dealership in Ontario, Canada, with deep scratches and punctured tires being reported by the Hamilton Police Service (HPS). The incident occurred overnight on March 18, and while some vehicle camera systems recorded footage, the police are still working to obtain more information. They do not yet have any suspects or a clear motive for the vandalism. The night before this incident, a Tesla was set on fire in London, Ontario, causing $140,000 in damage, with the police investigating the fire as suspicious.
Vandalism and attacks on Tesla vehicles and dealerships have been increasing recently, with many of the incidents appearing to be politically motivated acts against Tesla founder and CEO Elon Musk. The attacks are thought to be in response to Musk’s work with the Department of Government Efficiency. The Trump administration has taken a strong stance against these acts, with Attorney General Pam Bondi labeling them as “domestic terrorism” and promising severe consequences for the perpetrators. The Department of Justice (DOJ) has begun investigations and has charged three individuals in connection with the destruction of Tesla properties. These charges carry a minimum penalty of 5 years in prison, but could result in up to 20 years behind bars.
President Donald Trump also weighed in on the issue, suggesting that Tesla vandals could serve time in El Salvadorian prisons. He expressed support for harsh penalties for those targeting Tesla vehicles, linking the vandalism to domestic terrorism. Since January 2025, Tesla vehicles have been targeted in at least nine states, according to the FBI, prompting a warning for the public to exercise vigilance near Tesla properties. The increasing number of attacks has raised concerns for the safety of Tesla vehicles and those associated with the company, leading to a heightened focus on investigating and prosecuting those responsible for the vandalism.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the incidents of Tesla vandalism, working to gather more evidence and identify suspects. The police have obtained some footage from the area, but it is still not enough to determine a clear motive or how many people were involved in the vandalism. With the rise in attacks against Tesla vehicles and dealerships, there is a growing concern for the safety of those associated with the company. The DOJ’s efforts to crack down on the perpetrators and ensure that they face severe consequences are part of a broader strategy to address the issue of domestic terrorism and protect Tesla properties from further damage.
The recent incidents of vandalism and attacks on Tesla vehicles and dealerships have sparked a debate about the motivations behind these acts and the appropriate response from law enforcement and the government. The targeting of Tesla properties is seen as a form of protest against Elon Musk’s work with the Department of Government Efficiency, but the Trump administration has condemned these actions as domestic terrorism. With the DOJ charging individuals and threatening severe consequences, there is a push to hold those responsible for the vandalism accountable and prevent future attacks on Tesla vehicles. The public is advised to exercise vigilance near Tesla properties and report any suspicious activity to the authorities to help prevent further incidents.
