Personal property is becoming a target in a protest wave no one saw coming
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In recent weeks, a wave of unusual protests has drawn attention across social media.
These incidents don’t involve marches or signs—but instead, involve the direct defacement of personal property.
While motivations appear politically charged, the methods are what have left many disturbed.
Alarming acts caught on camera
As tensions rise around national politics, some are taking their frustrations out in very personal, very public ways.
Tesla—the electric vehicle brand long tied to high-profile billionaire Elon Musk—is once again in the spotlight.
But this time, it’s not about technology or innovation.
Two separate incidents involving Tesla vehicles have recently surfaced online, leaving many stunned by the form of protest chosen: feces.
Both events, which appear to be unrelated and spontaneous, were recorded using Tesla’s Sentry Mode—a feature that captures video footage from the vehicle's external cameras when motion is detected.
Source: @Liberacrat / X
In the first clip, captured in St. Petersburg, Florida, a man walking a dog casually tossed a bag of canine feces onto a parked Tesla.
The second, shared by an account online, shows a man smearing what appears to be his own waste on the window of a Tesla Cybertruck after reaching into his pants.
In both cases, the men acted nonchalantly, reacting only after spotting the cars.
Also read: Elon Musk sparks backlash over repeated use of controversial term on social media
Why it’s getting attention
The timing of these acts has fueled speculation.
Elon Musk’s ongoing involvement in politics—most recently as head of the Department of Government Efficiency under the Trump administration—has made him a lightning rod for criticism.
Tesla, by extension, has become a symbolic target.
Musk's net worth is closely tied to Tesla's stock, but the company's value has declined for the last two weeks, as Musk ramps up his political activity.
These acts of vandalism are being seen by some not just as pranks, but as part of a larger cultural backlash.
Also read: States challenge Trump’s appointment of Elon Musk—implications for DOGE
Public response—and Musk’s reaction
Online users have had plenty to say.
One post from the account Liberacrat called for accountability, stating: “Another radical leftist was caught on Tesla Sentry Mode, this time throwing his dog’s feces at a parked Cybertruck in St. Petersburg. The owner needs help locating this suspect to pursue criminal and legal action.”
In a recent interview with Sean Hannity, Musk himself weighed in.
“Tesla is a peaceful company; we've never done anything harmful, I've never done anything harmful; I've always done productive things,” he said.
“So there's some kind of mental illness thing going on because this doesn't make any sense.”
As Musk continues to play a central role in the Trump administration, backlash against him is unlikely to fade.
Have you witnessed acts of vandalism that cross the line into the realm of protest? How do you think companies like Tesla should respond to such targeted attacks? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
Read next: Elon Musk takes aim at government spending: What it means for Medicare and Medicaid benefits
These incidents don’t involve marches or signs—but instead, involve the direct defacement of personal property.
While motivations appear politically charged, the methods are what have left many disturbed.
Alarming acts caught on camera
As tensions rise around national politics, some are taking their frustrations out in very personal, very public ways.
Tesla—the electric vehicle brand long tied to high-profile billionaire Elon Musk—is once again in the spotlight.
But this time, it’s not about technology or innovation.
Tesla vehicles have become a target for vandalism and protest in the wake of Elon Musk's political activities. Image source: @Liberacrat / X
Two separate incidents involving Tesla vehicles have recently surfaced online, leaving many stunned by the form of protest chosen: feces.
Both events, which appear to be unrelated and spontaneous, were recorded using Tesla’s Sentry Mode—a feature that captures video footage from the vehicle's external cameras when motion is detected.
Source: @Liberacrat / X
In the first clip, captured in St. Petersburg, Florida, a man walking a dog casually tossed a bag of canine feces onto a parked Tesla.
The second, shared by an account online, shows a man smearing what appears to be his own waste on the window of a Tesla Cybertruck after reaching into his pants.
In both cases, the men acted nonchalantly, reacting only after spotting the cars.
Also read: Elon Musk sparks backlash over repeated use of controversial term on social media
Why it’s getting attention
The timing of these acts has fueled speculation.
Elon Musk’s ongoing involvement in politics—most recently as head of the Department of Government Efficiency under the Trump administration—has made him a lightning rod for criticism.
Tesla, by extension, has become a symbolic target.
Musk's net worth is closely tied to Tesla's stock, but the company's value has declined for the last two weeks, as Musk ramps up his political activity.
These acts of vandalism are being seen by some not just as pranks, but as part of a larger cultural backlash.
Also read: States challenge Trump’s appointment of Elon Musk—implications for DOGE
Public response—and Musk’s reaction
Online users have had plenty to say.
One post from the account Liberacrat called for accountability, stating: “Another radical leftist was caught on Tesla Sentry Mode, this time throwing his dog’s feces at a parked Cybertruck in St. Petersburg. The owner needs help locating this suspect to pursue criminal and legal action.”
In a recent interview with Sean Hannity, Musk himself weighed in.
“Tesla is a peaceful company; we've never done anything harmful, I've never done anything harmful; I've always done productive things,” he said.
“So there's some kind of mental illness thing going on because this doesn't make any sense.”
As Musk continues to play a central role in the Trump administration, backlash against him is unlikely to fade.
Read next: Elon Musk takes aim at government spending: What it means for Medicare and Medicaid benefits
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