A wave of vandalism at a Belfast dealership is part of a broader trend of protests against Tesla and its CEO, as political controversies deepen discontent.
Protests against Tesla have escalated in the United Kingdom, where reports indicate that approximately 20 vehicles were vandalised at a dealership in Belfast. The incidents were reported to the Police Service of Northern Ireland on Sunday, with authorities believing the damage occurred within the previous 24 hours. Most of the cars were left with wing mirrors knocked off, while others suffered smashed windows and dents in their bodywork. A spokesman for the police stated, “Approximately 20 vehicles have been targeted. Enquiries to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident are ongoing.” Witnesses or those with relevant CCTV footage have been urged to contact the police.
This act of vandalism in Belfast is part of a trend observed globally, as demonstrations against Tesla and its CEO Elon Musk have become increasingly common. Concerns over Musk’s political affiliations, particularly his association with the Republican Party and actions that have been characterised as far-right, have prompted a wave of protests and boycotts. Reports suggest that Musk’s personal and professional controversies have contributed to a significant decline in Tesla’s stock value, which has dropped nearly 41 per cent over the past eight weeks.
Musk, who was once admired for his leadership in innovative technology, has faced backlash following his apparent alignment with conservative politics, especially after endorsing former President Donald Trump. His actions have led many to view him unfavourably, with some accusing him of displaying fascist tendencies, a characterisation he has publicly denied. He has dismissed claims linking his gestures to any Nazi symbolism, aiming to separate his commercial ventures from political affiliations.
In a related incident in South Carolina, 24-year-old Daniel Clarke-Pounder allegedly attempted to set fire to Tesla charging stations as a form of protest against Musk. His actions on March 7 involved igniting Molotov cocktails, leading to an accidental ignition of his own clothing, which resulted in his fleeing the scene. Witnesses reported the events, and fire crews quickly intervened to cut power to the stations and extinguish the fire. Clarke-Pounder was arrested on March 13 after police sought assistance from the public in identifying him.
The protests reflect a broader discontent with Musk’s alignment with Republican policies and his increasing prominence within the Trump administration, where he leads initiatives aimed at reducing the size of the federal government. Protests have been reported not just in the UK, but also across North America, where recent demonstrations at Tesla dealerships in Portland and New York City led to arrests.
Amid growing unrest regarding both Tesla’s reputation and Musk’s political connections, recently, Trump publicly reaffirmed his support for Musk and the Tesla brand. He described violent protests against the company as acts of “domestic terrorism,” committing to impose severe penalties on any perpetrators. Trump’s administration has positioned itself as a defender of Tesla against what he describes as “troublemakers” who disrupt both commercial enterprises and the educational sphere.
While the political landscape surrounding Tesla continues to evolve, the company faces substantial challenges in maintaining its market position and public image, particularly with former supporters feeling estranged from the brand due to the actions of its CEO.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.gaydio.co.uk/life/news/uk-news/vandals-damage-tesla-cars-in-belfast/ – This article corroborates the vandalism incident at a Tesla dealership in Belfast, where around 20 vehicles were damaged. It also mentions the global trend of protests against Tesla and Elon Musk.
- https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-41595319.html – This article provides further details about the vandalism incident in Belfast, including the types of damage sustained by the vehicles and the ongoing police investigation.
- https://jerseyeveningpost.com/motoring/2025/03/17/police-investigate-damage-to-cars-at-tesla-dealership/ – This article also reports on the vandalism at the Tesla dealership in Belfast, highlighting the appeal for witnesses and the extent of the damage to the vehicles.
- https://www.noahwire.com – This source is mentioned as providing information on the broader context of protests against Tesla and Elon Musk’s political affiliations, though specific details are not available without direct access.
- https://www.vox.com/2023/9/14/23469427/elon-musk-trump-republican-party – This article could provide context on Elon Musk’s political affiliations and how they have influenced public perception and protests against him and Tesla, though it is not directly linked in the search results.
- https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/15/politics/elon-musk-trump-administration/index.html – This article might discuss Elon Musk’s involvement with the Trump administration and the impact on Tesla’s public image, though it is not directly mentioned in the search results.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative mentions recent incidents in Belfast and South Carolina, indicating relatively fresh content. However, some details about Elon Musk’s political affiliations and past controversies might be based on older events.
Quotes check
Score:
6
Notes:
There are no direct quotes from specific individuals that can be traced back to an original source. The quote from the police spokesman is likely original to this report, but without further context, it’s difficult to verify.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Mirror, a well-known UK publication. While the Mirror is generally reliable, the lack of specific sources for some claims reduces the overall reliability score.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about protests and vandalism against Tesla are plausible given the current global political climate and past controversies surrounding Elon Musk. The incidents described align with reported trends of increased protests against Tesla.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative appears to be based on recent events and is generally plausible. The source is reliable, and while some details might be harder to verify, the overall content aligns with current trends and news.
