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SoCal police hunt for vandal who spray-painted 13 Teslas in one week
New York Post • • business
Key Points:
- A vandal in Irvine, California, allegedly spray-painted 13 Teslas over the course of a week, targeting vehicles in a parking garage near Michelson Drive and Carlson Avenue; police are seeking public assistance to identify the suspect.
- The incident reflects growing anti-Elon Musk sentiment in California's liberal areas, where owning a Tesla is increasingly seen as controversial rather than a symbol of eco-friendliness.
- Many Tesla owners have added anti-Musk bumper stickers to their vehicles to distance themselves from Musk personally, while prominent California leaders like Governor Gavin Newsom and San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie have publicly embraced competing electric vehicle brands.
- Tesla's reputation in California has suffered amid Musk's political alignment with former President Trump, contributing to both social backlash and financial challenges for the company.
- Tesla's stock recently experienced its worst week since 2020, dropping 18%, and Elon Musk's personal fortune has decreased by approximately $650 billion over five weeks.
