Tesla’s Defenders? Proud Boys Join Pro-Musk Rallies

Amidst growing “Tesla Takedown” protests nationwide, Elon Musk’s electric vehicle company has found support from an unexpected corner: the Proud Boys and other militia groups.

Over the past weekend, while thousands participated in “Tesla Takedown” demonstrations at Tesla showrooms across the country, a smaller but vocal group of Musk supporters staged counter-protests, self-dubbed “Tesla Shield.” These counter-protests included members of right-wing extremist groups.

The emergence of these groups in support of Tesla highlights the increasingly polarized environment surrounding Elon Musk and his company. The initial “Tesla Takedown” protests stemmed from concerns about Tesla’s business practices, Musk’s political stances, and product safety.

The involvement of groups like the Proud Boys raises significant questions about the nature of the support for Tesla and the potential for further escalation of tensions between opposing factions.

David Gilbert, a reporter at WIRED covering disinformation and online extremism, notes that this development is particularly concerning given the current political climate.

Topics: Elon Musk, Tesla, Protests, Extremism, Government