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By Theo Burman
Live News Reporter
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Protesters targeting Tesla over their opposition to Elon Musk have a new strategy: faking interest in buying a Tesla to waste the company's time and resources.
Members of the 50501 movement, which aims to organize protests in all 50 states, have proposed that wasting the time of Tesla dealerships could be a safer alternative to illegal vandalism.
Newsweek contacted Tesla for more information on the protests via email.
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Why It Matters
Elon Musk has tied himself closely to President Donald Trump's government, taking on key roles in the dismantling of USAID and the crackdown on DEI initiatives. However, his high-profile association has aligned with a global decline in Tesla sales, leading some to believe his political moves are damaging the company's brand.
What To Know
In a post on the 50501 subreddit, which received almost 3,000 upvotes, one protester proposed that activists "keep Tesla on the ropes" by dragging out the process of buying a car as long as possible before cancelling.
"Hear me out, I think this is a creative way to help protest," the poster said. "If you have spare time, call or go to your Tesla dealership and show interest in buying a Tesla vehicle.
"Don't be sure about what you want, have them give you all the details, model options etc. and just waste as much time as possible. Give them fake information like social security and your name, and pretend to be bafflingly confused when it comes up blank.
"Keep them on the ropes for multiple days; have them continue to call you back because you just haven't made up your mind. Even test drive one if you have the opportunity.
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"And, after all that, just say 'meh, I don't know, I think I'll go get a Pontiac,' or something, taking that salesperson away from actually being able to sell one. Not sure if anyone has proposed this before, but I think it could be a good way to screw Tesla over for those unwilling to do illegal vandalism."
Protesters have been looking for alternatives to vandalism in the wake of Trump's pledge that he will classify violence against Tesla dealerships as domestic terrorism.
Violence against the brand has increased as Musk has continued in his role as head of the Department of Government Efficiency. On January 29, Colorado Police arrested a woman for causing around $20,000 in damage to a Tesla dealership, while also spray-painting "Nazi" under the dealership's entrance sign.
On March 3, a large protest gathered outside Maryland Tesla site, with anti-Musk graffiti also appearing on the building. His critics have associated him with Nazi imagery since his gesture during Trump's inauguration, which resembled a Nazi, or "Roman" salute.
Musk has rejected the criticism, saying that he was being called a Nazi by "radical leftists."
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump, discussing his move to make violence against Tesla a terrorism charge, said: "I will do that. I'm going to stop them. Because they are harming a great American company. It's a great product, and we have to celebrate [Musk]."
What Happens Next
Trump's decision to make Tesla vandalism a domestic terror charge has not yet been officially introduced.
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