Tesla showrooms, dealerships, and charging stations around the world are bracing for a day of global action as thousands of protesters gather to peacefully object to Elon Musk's influence on government spending. However, the movement has sparked a fierce backlash, with authorities and Musk himself conflating peaceful activism with vandalism and even terrorism.

The protests, organized by the "Tesla Takedown" movement, aim to encourage people to sell their Teslas, sell their stock, and stop buying new Teslas, ultimately targeting Musk's wealth and influence. Despite the movement's stated commitment to nonviolence, authorities have begun to crack down on protesters, with President Donald Trump labeling attacks on Tesla "domestic terrorism" and threatening to send "terrorist thugs" to prisons in El Salvador.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has also pledged to prosecute "those operating behind the scenes to coordinate and fund these crimes," despite evidence suggesting that the attacks were carried out by "lone offenders." Musk himself has fueled the public discourse, accusing at least one peaceful protester of "committing crimes" on X, the social media platform he owns.

Experts warn that the government's and Musk's rhetoric could have serious consequences for peaceful protesters. "Terrorism is a problematic concept in law enforcement because it is by definition differentiated from other violence by its political nature," said Mike German, a former FBI special agent and fellow at the Brennan Center's Liberty and National Security Program. "That's why we've seen counterterrorism measures so often result in problematic outcomes targeting the civil rights of people engaged in First Amendment-protected activity, rather than the people who are committing acts of violence."

The Tesla Takedown movement's stated goal is not to physically harm Tesla or Musk, but rather to use economic pressure to influence government policy. "The reason that [Musk] is in the position that he is in is because of his wealth, and we feel that if we can continue to drive that Tesla stock price down, we will hit him in the spot that it matters," said Natasha Purdum, a New Jersey-based organizer.

Musk's wealth, largely derived from his 13% stake in Tesla, has allowed him to wield significant influence, including spending $44 billion to buy Twitter and donating over $260 million to the America PAC that helped Trump clinch the election. German warns that local police may work with terrorism taskforces to monitor Tesla Takedown protests, potentially leading to the surveillance of peaceful protesters.

As the protests continue to spread, the distinction between peaceful activism and vandalism is becoming increasingly blurred. Trump and Musk have ramped up their rhetoric, with Musk appearing on Fox News to say that he and Trump are going to "go after…the ones providing the money, the ones pushing the lies and propaganda." Trump has suggested that the attacks on Tesla property were coordinated to intimidate Musk, despite internal assessments finding otherwise.

Tesla Takedown organizers are advising protesters to prioritize their safety, with Purdum urging them to leave if they feel unsafe, adhere to local protest regulations, and have a lawyer's number on hand. "Authoritarian regimes have a long history of equating peaceful protest with violence," said Stephanie Frizzell, a Tesla Takedown organizer from Dallas. "The Tesla Takedown movement has always been and will remain nonviolent. Their goal is to intimidate us into silence as we stand against Musk's destructive actions — but defending free speech is fundamental to democracy. We will not be deterred."