Former CNN political analyst Chris Cillizza revealed that his Tesla was vandalized with a sign reading “Musk is a Nazi” during his son’s soccer tournament. Cillizza expressed concern over the increasing politicization of everyday life, noting that owning a Tesla has shifted from being associated with environmentalist liberals to being perceived as a symbol of the right.
In a Substack post, Cillizza recounted the incident and criticized the tendency to assign political meaning to consumer choices. He argued that such politicization is “making us all crazy” and eroding common humanity. Cillizza also referenced past criticism he received for eating at Chick-Fil-A, emphasizing that consumer behavior does not necessarily equate to political endorsement.
The incident reflects a broader trend of anti-Tesla vandalism linked to opposition against Elon Musk. Since early 2025, there has been an uptick in attacks on Tesla vehicles and facilities, including arson and graffiti, often accompanied by politically charged messages. These acts have been part of larger protest movements like “Tesla Takedown,” which aim to challenge Musk’s political influence.
Law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, have labeled some of these acts as domestic terrorism. President Trump suggested that perpetrators be sent to prison in El Salvador, while Attorney General Pam Bondi vowed severe consequences for those involved. Elon Musk has attributed the vandalism to mental illness and suggested that a larger force is coordinating the attacks, though authorities have found no evidence of such coordination.
The surge in politically motivated vandalism against Tesla underscores the deepening divisions in American society, where even consumer products become battlegrounds for ideological conflicts.
