Thousands of people joined the “Tesla Takedown” protest movement at showrooms across the country over the weekend, criticizing Elon Musk’s dismantling of federal government agencies. In contrast, a smaller number of pro-Musk supporters gathered for a counterprotest dubbed “Tesla Shield,” with many attendees identified as far-right extremists.
Among those attending the counterprotests were members of the Proud Boys and armed militias, including an individual dressed as Hitler in Idaho. One participant, David Pettinger, claimed he wore the costume to mock overused terms but his social media posts echo Hitler’s antisemitic views.
The pro-Musk protests faced significant challenges, with isolated incidents of vandalism against Tesla vehicles and chargers reported across the country. Some extremist groups have taken it upon themselves to support Musk, including veterans’ organizations that shifted focus from immigration monitoring to infiltrating anti-Musk protests.
Elon Musk himself responded to the protests, claiming protesters were being paid without evidence. The situation highlights the growing divisions between pro- and anti-Tesla factions, with both sides vowing to continue their efforts.
Source: https://www.wired.com/story/proud-boys-and-militias-come-to-teslas-defense