President Donald Trump has escalated his rhetoric against anti-Tesla demonstrators, threatening harsh prison sentences and even deportation for those who vandalize Tesla properties. In a fiery Truth Social post on Friday, Trump referred to the protesters as “sick terrorist thugs” and suggested they could serve 20-year sentences in El Salvador’s infamous prisons.
The remarks come amid a growing crackdown on dissent under Trump’s administration, which has been accused of undermining birthright citizenship, curtailing legal protections for immigrants, and detaining individuals for political speech. Now, Trump appears to be expanding the definition of “deportable” individuals to include those who damage property linked to Elon Musk—one of his closest allies and advisors.
Trump’s Friday morning post made it clear that he sees attacks on Tesla properties as acts of domestic terrorism and believes that offenders should be subject to extreme punishment.
“I look forward to watching the sick terrorist thugs get 20-year jail sentences for what they are doing to Elon Musk and Tesla. Perhaps they could serve them in the prisons of El Salvador, which have become so recently famous for such lovely conditions!”
The reference to El Salvador’s prisons alludes to Trump’s recent deal with President Nayib Bukele, in which the U.S. deported 261 individuals under the Alien Enemies Act, labeling them as an “invading force”. Some of those deported, however, were later found to have been wrongly identified as gang members, sparking human rights concerns.
The threat to deport American citizens—even those engaged in acts of vandalism—marks an unprecedented escalation in Trump’s approach to political protest.
Expanding the Definition of Deportable People
While Trump has long advocated for stricter immigration policies, his administration has gone further in redefining who can be deported.
- During his 2024 campaign, he frequently suggested that political opponents, prosecutors, and even journalists should face deportation.
- Special Counsel Jack Smith, who investigated Trump’s alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election, was one such target. Trump falsely suggested that Smith wasn’t a U.S. citizen and should be removed from the country.
- Pro-Palestinian academics have also been detained under Trump’s administration, with the government using anti-terror laws to justify their imprisonment.
The latest comments indicate that Trump may now be attempting to include protesters and vandals in this expanding definition of “deportable” individuals.
Tesla Vandalism: Is It Domestic Terrorism?
The backlash against Tesla has been growing in recent months, fueled by:
- Elon Musk’s close alliance with Trump, which has led to speculation that Tesla is benefiting from favorable government policies.
- Criticism of Tesla’s labor practices, including allegations of union-busting and unsafe working conditions.
- Musk’s political statements, including his support for Trump’s re-election and his push to privatize public infrastructure like Amtrak.
The most recent Tesla-related attack occurred earlier this week at a Tesla Collision Center in Las Vegas, where a fire broke out, damaging five Tesla vehicles. Officials reported that the word “RESIST” had been spray-painted on the building’s doors, and the suspect allegedly used Molotov cocktails and a firearm to cause destruction.
Additionally, three suspects in Colorado were arrested for allegedly vandalizing a Tesla dealership. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed that they could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
While these acts of vandalism are undoubtedly criminal, Trump’s attempt to classify them as terrorism and link them to broader conspiracies raises concerns about overreach and political targeting.
Trump’s strong defense of Tesla and Musk is not surprising given their close political relationship.
- Musk has become a key advisor to the Trump administration, particularly in efforts to cut government spending and privatize public services.
- SpaceX has secured major defense contracts, solidifying Musk’s influence within Pentagon decision-making.
- Trump has repeatedly praised Musk, calling him a “true American genius” and vowing to protect his businesses.
Given Musk’s financial and political ties to China, his role in U.S. national security has raised concerns about conflicts of interest. Yet, instead of distancing himself, Trump appears to be aligning himself even more closely with Musk, using federal law enforcement to crack down on his critics.
Trump and Musk’s “Sabotage” Conspiracy
In addition to labeling Tesla vandals as domestic terrorists, Trump has suggested that the attacks are being funded by a larger, more nefarious force.
In a separate Truth Social post Thursday night, Trump wrote:
“People that get caught sabotaging Teslas will stand a very good chance of going to jail for up to twenty years, and that includes the funders. WE ARE LOOKING FOR YOU!!!”
Musk himself has echoed these conspiracy theories, hinting earlier this week that anti-Tesla protests are being coordinated by powerful elites seeking to undermine his businesses.
While neither Musk nor Trump has provided concrete evidence to support these claims, their rhetoric has fueled speculation about a crackdown on left-wing protest movements.
With Republicans controlling Congress, it’s possible that Trump’s threats could turn into actual policy proposals—especially if they frame Tesla vandalism as a national security issue.
Trump’s threats against Tesla protesters mark a disturbing escalation in his administration’s use of federal power to target political opponents.
By labeling vandals as terrorists, suggesting that they should be deported, and linking the attacks to a larger conspiracy, Trump is weaponizing law enforcement to protect his allies—particularly Musk.
The move also fits into a larger pattern of:
- Expanding who can be deported beyond traditional immigration cases.
- Criminalizing political dissent by equating vandalism with terrorism.
- Using federal agencies to serve political and corporate interests.
While vandalism should be prosecuted, Trump’s response goes far beyond legal norms, raising serious civil liberties concerns. As his administration continues to blur the lines between political loyalty, business interests, and law enforcement, the definition of “terrorism” may become increasingly dependent on who the target is.
