Protests against Tesla have intensified in the UK, with vandalism reported at a Belfast dealership, reflecting growing concerns over CEO Elon Musk’s political affiliations and their impact on the brand.
Protests against Tesla have escalated in the UK, with recent incidents involving vandalism at a dealership in Belfast. On Sunday, police in Northern Ireland received reports concerning the damage of approximately 20 vehicles at the Tesla outlet located on Boucher Road. It is believed that the vandalism occurred within 24 hours before the report was made, and the vehicles targeted had wing mirrors knocked off, as well as windows smashed and dents inflicted on their bodywork. The Police Service Northern Ireland has stated that inquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
A spokesperson for the police encouraged anyone who witnessed the events on Saturday afternoon or possesses CCTV footage that could assist in the investigation to contact them, referencing incident number 692 of 16/03/25. The Mirror has reached out to Tesla for a comment regarding the vandalism.
The damage at the Belfast dealership forms part of a broader wave of protests and acts of vandalism directed at Tesla dealerships across various countries, motivated by concerns over the company’s CEO, Elon Musk, and his political affiliations. Musk has increasingly been regarded as a controversial figure, particularly among segments of the political left, following his political activities that many perceive as aligning with far-right ideologies.
The company’s stock, once valued at one trillion dollars, has reportedly fallen by nearly 41 per cent over the past eight weeks, a decline that reflects shareholders’ reactions to Musk’s political engagements. Following the November elections in the United States, Tesla’s shares saw a rise from approximately $250 to $490. However, since Donald Trump’s inauguration, Musk’s alignment with the Republican Party has caused discontent among traditional customers.
Musk has faced accusations of fascist tendencies, notably linked to his controversial gesture at Trump’s inauguration, which some have likened to a Nazi salute. Despite these allegations, Musk has denied any affiliation with fascist ideologies and dismissed claims connecting his actions to historical references.
Protests against Tesla have unfolded not only in the UK but also across the United States, Canada, and Europe, where a significant decrease in vehicle sales has been reported. Historically, Tesla attracted a customer base that was concerned about environmental issues. However, Musk’s shift towards more Republican ideologies has alienated many of these liberal consumers, resulting in a growing reluctance to support the brand.
In response to the situation, former President Trump has urged conservative supporters to consider purchasing Tesla vehicles, while he himself was seen alongside Musk outside the White House after buying one of the vehicles last week. Nevertheless, it remains uncertain if the conservative market will be able to compensate for the loss of liberal buyers, as a majority of past purchases have originated from Democrat-leaning states such as California and New York.
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 approximately 20 vehicles were damaged. It also mentions the broader context of protests against Tesla due to Elon Musk’s political affiliations.
- https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-41595319.html – This article provides details about the vandalism at the Tesla dealership 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 further confirms the vandalism incident at the Belfast Tesla dealership, highlighting the appeal for witnesses and the nature of the damage to the vehicles.
- https://www.gaydio.co.uk/life/news/uk-news/vandals-damage-tesla-cars-in-belfast/ – This article discusses the broader wave of protests and vandalism against Tesla globally, linked to Elon Musk’s political activities and affiliations.
- https://www.gaydio.co.uk/life/news/uk-news/vandals-damage-tesla-cars-in-belfast/ – It mentions Elon Musk’s controversial political stance and its impact on Tesla’s brand image, contributing to a decline in stock value and customer loyalty.
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:
9
Notes:
The narrative includes recent incidents and ongoing investigations, indicating it is likely current. However, some historical references and past events are mentioned, which could be from older contexts.
Quotes check
Score:
0
Notes:
There are no direct quotes in the narrative to verify.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from The Mirror, a well-known publication in the UK. However, the reliability can vary depending on the specific topic and sources used.
Plausability check
Score:
7
Notes:
The claims about protests and vandalism are plausible given the context of global protests against Tesla. However, some details, such as the specific political affiliations and their impact on sales, lack concrete evidence.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative appears to be relatively fresh, focusing on recent incidents. While it lacks direct quotes, it originates from a known publication. The plausibility of the claims is moderate due to the lack of detailed evidence supporting some assertions.