Recently, a peculiar rumor circulated on X, asserting that Elon Musk had camouflaged an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) building as a Tesla dealership to provoke vandalism. This speculation emerged in light of a series of attacks on Tesla outlets across the United States, linked to Musk’s controversial appointment as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), aimed at reducing federal spending.
The rumor originated from the X profile @TheBabylonBee on March 24, 2024, quickly going viral with 48.5 million views at the time of reporting.
However, this claim was swiftly debunked, as the account is notorious for disseminating fabricated news, humorously identified in its profile as “Fake news you can trust.”
The absence of coverage by credible news outlets further supports the notion that this was merely a parody. Additionally, Elon Musk himself responded humorously to the rumor by retweeting the post with a laughing emoji.
“Tesla is a Peaceful Company”— Musk Denounces Vandalism in a Recent Interview
Elon Musk, the visionary behind Tesla, has faced numerous challenges lately, including significant stock price fluctuations and ongoing vandalism targeting the company’s showrooms and vehicles throughout the nation.
In an interview on Fox News’ Hannity on March 18, Musk expressed shock over the escalating violence and hostility directed toward Tesla, particularly from what he perceives as leftist groups. He stated, “It was quite a shock to see this level of hatred and violence.”
“Tesla is a peaceful company. We’ve never done anything harmful,”Musk asserted.
During the same interview, Musk alleged that Democrats were behind the recent surge in vandalism against Tesla. He commented:
“I always thought that the left, you know, Democrats, were supposed to be the party of empathy, the party of caring, and yet they’re burning down cars, they’re firebombing dealerships, they’re firing bullets into dealerships, they’re smashing up Teslas.”
Claiming that the attacks are part of a coordinated effort against him, Musk suggested that these incidents were retaliation for his actions to combat government waste, referencing the layoffs of numerous federal employees after being assigned to lead DOGE by former President Donald Trump.
“I mean, I don’t know who’s funding it and who’s coordinating it? Because this is crazy. I’ve never seen anything like this. They basically want to kill me because I’m stopping their fraud, and they want to hurt Tesla because we’re stopping the terrible waste and corruption in the government,”Musk declared.
In response to the vandalism, both Trump and the Justice Department have characterized these attacks against Tesla as “domestic terrorism.”U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a statement on March 20, warning that offenders could face severe penalties, including imprisonment for up to 20 years.
The vandalism against Tesla extends beyond showrooms to attacks on vehicles and charging stations. Notably, in February 2024, Lucy Grace Nelson was arrested for allegedly using Molotov cocktails to attack a Tesla dealership in Colorado and for vandalizing the building with graffiti.
Similarly, Adam Matthew Lansky, aged 41, faced charges related to a Molotov cocktail attack at a Tesla dealership in Salem, Oregon. Furthermore, Daniel Clarke-Pounder, aged 24, was apprehended for arson after he attacked Tesla charging stations in South Carolina with incendiary devices.
Amid the turmoil, peaceful demonstrations have emerged, protesting Elon Musk’s ongoing role in governmental matters. On March 10, Donald Trump notably purchased a red Tesla Model S, publicly supporting Musk during this turbulent period marked by decreasing stock prices and protests.
For those interested in the unfolding developments, please refer to the full article here.