FBI Issues Warning to Tesla Owners as 'Tesla Takedown' Protesters Plan Global Day of Action

 

In an unprecedented move, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has issued a nationwide advisory to Tesla owners and employees this week, as the activist group known as "Tesla Takedown" prepares for a massive wave of global protests. The group has announced a "Global Day of Action" aimed squarely at Tesla and its controversial CEO, Elon Musk.

The warning comes after a series of isolated but increasingly bold acts of vandalism at Tesla showrooms and service centers across multiple states. Law enforcement fears the upcoming protests could escalate, leading to property damage, personal injuries, or wider public safety risks.

The FBI’s Advisory

According to an FBI bulletin distributed to local law enforcement and obtained by several media outlets, there is "credible intelligence" suggesting that extremist elements within the Tesla Takedown movement may attempt to sabotage Tesla vehicles, disrupt operations, and potentially target Tesla owners themselves.

The FBI emphasized that while the majority of protesters are expected to remain peaceful, individuals or fringe groups could use the large gatherings as cover for illegal activities. Tesla owners are advised to park in secure, well-lit areas, avoid leaving vehicles unattended for long periods, and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.

"The public should remain vigilant," the advisory states. "While peaceful protest is protected under the First Amendment, we are committed to preventing violence and protecting private property."

Who Is 'Tesla Takedown'?

The Tesla Takedown group first emerged online earlier this year as a loose coalition of environmental activists, labor advocates, and tech watchdogs. Initially, the group criticized Tesla for what they claim are unsafe labor practices, questionable environmental policies related to battery production, and Musk’s political affiliations, which some claim are aligned with authoritarian movements.

Over time, Tesla Takedown grew into a decentralized global network, largely organized via social media platforms. Their stated mission is to "expose the myth of Tesla’s greenwashing and resist the billionaire control of our future."

Group organizers have publicly disavowed violence, but the FBI remains concerned that the protests, set to occur simultaneously in over 30 countries, could be infiltrated by more extreme elements.

"We are not calling for destruction," a spokesperson for Tesla Takedown said in an online statement. "We are calling for accountability."

Recent Escalations

Concerns about the upcoming protest day are not without cause. Over the past two months, Tesla dealerships in Portland, Oregon, and Austin, Texas, have reported acts of vandalism ranging from spray-painted slogans to smashed windows and slashed tires. In one incident in Los Angeles, a Tesla Supercharger station was briefly shut down after activists chained themselves to the chargers.

Authorities believe these incidents were the work of splinter groups operating under the banner of Tesla Takedown but without any direct coordination with its main organizers.

"We condemn these isolated acts of violence," the Tesla Takedown statement continued. "Our movement is about peaceful resistance, not destruction."

Nonetheless, the FBI has warned that protests on the Global Day of Action could serve as a flashpoint, particularly in cities where tensions are already high due to political polarization.

Tesla's Response

Tesla has remained largely silent in the face of the growing controversy. The company’s communications team, notoriously tight-lipped under Musk’s leadership, has issued no official public statement regarding the protests or the FBI's warning.

Internally, however, Tesla has reportedly stepped up its security operations. Sources close to the company say private security contractors have been hired to monitor key locations, and employees have been instructed on emergency procedures should protests turn aggressive.

Some Tesla service centers have even temporarily modified their operating hours for the upcoming weekend, and several Tesla owners have shared notices on social media warning of potential disruptions to repair and charging services.

The Political Undercurrent

At the heart of much of the anger toward Musk and Tesla is Musk's increasingly visible role in global politics. Critics argue that his growing influence — particularly through platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and his close ties to government leaders — represents a dangerous concentration of power in the hands of one ultra-wealthy individual.

Musk, for his part, has dismissed such criticisms as "the same old attack on innovation and freedom." In a post earlier this week, he downplayed the significance of the planned protests, tweeting simply: "Those who stand for nothing fall for anything."

Still, analysts suggest the coordinated Global Day of Action could mark a pivotal moment — not just for Tesla, but for broader discussions about the role of billionaires in shaping public policy, technology, and climate initiatives.

What's Next?

As Saturday’s Global Day of Action approaches, authorities are ramping up preparations. Local police departments in cities like San Francisco, Berlin, and Tokyo — all home to major Tesla hubs — have already announced heightened security measures and temporary street closures around Tesla facilities.

Meanwhile, many Tesla owners are expressing growing unease online. Some have shared plans to avoid using public Superchargers over the weekend altogether, while others are even considering postponing Tesla deliveries until after the protests.

"I just want to drive my car and not be part of some political statement," one Tesla owner wrote on a popular forum.

Whether the Global Day of Action remains largely peaceful or spirals into chaos could have lasting impacts — not only for Tesla's brand but also for how corporations navigate the increasingly complex intersection of technology, activism, and global politics.

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