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By Shane Croucher and Theo Burman
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A World War II veteran rolled a tank over a Tesla in a video stunt by a British activist group targeted at Elon Musk.
The veteran drove the tank over the vehicle in protest over Musk's increasing political influence and attempts to engage with European politics, with the former soldier saying: "We've crushed fascism before, and we'll crush it again."
The Context
Since his elevation to a major role in President Donald Trump's administration, Musk has repeatedly made interventions into European politics endorsing far-right and anti-establishment parties in both Germany and the UK, where Led By Donkeys is based. The interventions have been met with ire from many Europeans, with Tesla sales in the region dropping sharply in the first quarter of 2025.
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What To Know
Ken Turner, 98, stars in the video by Led By Donkeys, an anti-fascim protest group that was originally formed to campaign against the UK's conservative party.
In the video, Turner takes aim at Musk over his support for parties such as the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).
TANK vs TESLA"We've crushed fascism before and we'll crush it again"- WW2 veteran Ken, 98, in the tank
— Led By Donkeys (@ledbydonkeys.org) 2025-05-07T16:46:21.866Z
"Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, is using his immense power to support the far-right in Europe," Turner says in the video.
"And his money comes from Tesla cars. Well, I've got this message for Mr. Musk. We've crushed fascism before, and we'll crush it again. So let's go, shall we?"
Turner drove a Sherman tank, which was used in the war, to drive over what appears to be a Tesla Model 3. The Tesla was fitted with a custom number plate that read: "FASCISM".
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The video is not Led By Donkey's first campaign against Musk. After his first intervention into German politics, the British group teamed up with a German campaign, the Centre for Political Beauty, to project a large image of Musk's inauguration day salute on the front of a Tesla factory in Berlin, along with the words "Heil Tesla".
What People Are Saying
A spokesperson for Led By Donkeys said: "Musk is using his wealth from Tesla to back far-right parties and degrade democracy.
"He shouldn't be surprised if people don't fancy driving round in his cars for much longer. Increasingly it's not a great look."
What Happens Next
Citing widespread criticism and attacks from the left, Musk hinted at plans to step away from his role in the Trump administration, and instead focus more on his tech companies and business ventures.
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