Tesla (TSLA) charging stations were set ablaze in Massachusetts as frustration toward Elon Musk intensified. Firefighters arrived at The Point Shopping Center near Boston to find multiple chargers “engulfed in flames and heavy, dark smoke,” according to the Littleton Fire Department. Police confirmed that seven stations were damaged, and the fire “appears to have been intentionally set.” While no injuries were reported, the attack is part of a growing backlash against the billionaire and his political ties.
Tesla Sales Plummet as Musk’s Politics Alienate Buyers
Tesla’s European sales collapsed by 45% in January, with even steeper declines in Germany and France, according to Jato Dynamics. “It’s hard to tell exactly how much his activism is impacting sales,” analyst Felipe Munoz told Sky News, but the trend is undeniable. Some buyers are actively distancing themselves, with Tesla owners slapping stickers on their cars reading, “I bought it before Elon went nuts.” Meanwhile, Tesla’s stock has nosedived 37% since Trump’s inauguration, wiping out $550 billion in value.
Arson Attack Halts Tesla Production in Germany
Tesla’s troubles aren’t limited to the U.S. In Germany, a suspected arson attack triggered a power outage at a Brandenburg Tesla plant, bringing production to a halt. In Berlin, an image of Musk making a straight-armed salute was projected onto a Tesla factory. The controversy follows Musk’s defense of far-right figures in Europe, including his call for Germany to “move beyond their past guilt.”
Democrats Protest as Trump Praises Musk
Despite the outrage, Trump praised Musk in a speech to Congress, sparking two standing ovations from Republicans. Democrats fired back, waving signs that read “false” and “Musk steals” in response to Trump’s exaggerated claims about government abuse against Musk’s companies. The political firestorm is fueling consumer backlash, with some questioning whether Tesla’s brand can separate itself from its controversial CEO.
Musk may insist that buyers only care about their cars, not his politics, but as Munoz put it, “Most drivers care about the car, as long as it doesn’t break.”
Is Tesla a Buy, Sell, or Hold?
Analysts remain sidelined about TSLA stock, with a Hold consensus rating based on 13 Buys, 12 Holds, and 10 Sells. Over the past year, TSLA has surged by more than 50%, and the average TSLA price target of $346.72 implies an upside potential of 24.2% from current levels.
