Elon Musk is facing criticism over his alliance with Donald Trump, recently responding to global protests targeting Tesla dealerships and the company’s electric vehicles. These protests have escalated from peaceful demonstrations to include acts of arson in the United States and Germany.
Musk’s involvement as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has drawn particular ire, with critics focusing on budget cuts to the national education system and job losses at Veterans Affairs.
In Berlin, Germany, an incident was reported where “unknown perpetrators” set fire to four Tesla electric cars. Images from the scene show the vehicles severely damaged, with minor fire damage to nearby vehicles.
Political strategist Alastair Campbell criticized Musk: “History will not remember Elon Musk as a genius but as a sycophantic and unhinged enabler of a failing and deeply corrupt autocracy. A conman who bought his way into the orbit of power, but proved that money can’t buy respect or competence.”
Musk responded on social media, using X, to share supportive messages. He reposted a release from the Loveland Police Department in Colorado, which announced the arrest of a 24-year-old for attacking a Tesla showroom with an “incendiary device.” The man faces charges of possessing explosives and second-degree arson.
Musk responded to criticisms of Trump by reposting a 2022 prediction where Democrats would launch a “dirty tricks campaign.” He stated, “It was easy to predict. This is their standard playbook. Look at what they did to President Donald Trump.”
In a related development, Trump welcomed Musk to the White House, purchasing a Tesla and praising Musk for boosting the American economy. As a gesture of thanks, Musk confirmed that Tesla would double its US production over the next two years.
