Anarchist Guide Provides Tactical Advice for Tesla Arsonists

Mar 20

Executive Summary

A radical anarchist website has published a detailed guide instructing individuals on how to commit arson against Tesla vehicles while minimizing forensic risks. The guide, titled “DON’T USE MOLOTOVS: Some Notes on Safely Burning Teslas (or Other Cars),” warns against Molotov cocktails due to their traceability and instead advocates for using fire starter cubes combined with liquid accelerants. The post highlights the necessity of stealth, destruction of evidence, and strategic target selection, positioning Tesla as an emblem of corporate and governmental power under Elon Musk’s role in the Trump administration. The emergence of such explicit instructional material suggests an escalation in organized direct action against Tesla, raising concerns about further politically motivated attacks.

Analysis

The guide, posted anonymously on an anti-government website, reflects a growing hostility toward Tesla, which has seen a surge in vandalism and arson since Musk took an official role in the Trump administration. Unlike typical anarchist rhetoric, which often calls for generalized resistance, this post provides explicit tactical guidance, including material selection, placement of incendiary devices, and operational security measures.

The post condemns the use of Molotov cocktails, arguing that they leave behind forensic evidence in the form of unburnt glass shards and fuel residue. Instead, it recommends fire starter cubes, which burn completely and are less likely to leave evidence. The author advises placing these cubes near the vehicle’s tires, especially on top of the front tire, for maximum effectiveness. If placing them under the vehicle, the post suggests pairing them with a plastic bottle of accelerant to ensure a sustained burn. It explicitly warns against breaking windows due to noise and forensic risks, emphasizing the importance of leaving no DNA or fingerprints behind.

The post also references the No Trace Project, an online resource that provides counter-surveillance techniques to avoid detection. By encouraging readers to practice discretion in obtaining materials and to test their devices beforehand, the guide reflects a level of operational planning that goes beyond spontaneous acts of vandalism. The author closes with a call to action, urging followers to escalate attacks and “torch the ever-loving shit out of every part of this miserable society.”

The publication of this guide coincides with a wave of attacks on Tesla properties, including arsons, Molotov cocktail attacks, and gunfire directed at dealerships. Tesla has become a focal point of left-wing resistance due to Musk’s alignment with Trump and his leadership of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Several high-profile incidents have been reported, including Cybertrucks set ablaze in Seattle, a Tesla dealership firebombed in Las Vegas, and multiple shootings at Tesla facilities in Oregon. While law enforcement has made arrests in some cases, the overall pattern suggests a decentralized and evolving campaign of direct action against the company.

The White House has labeled these attacks as domestic terrorism, with Attorney General Pam Bondi vowing severe consequences for perpetrators and any organizations supporting them. Trump himself has condemned the violence, claiming that “left-wing billionaires” are funding the attacks. Federal agencies, including the FBI and ATF, are investigating whether these incidents are part of a coordinated effort rather than isolated acts of vandalism.

Tesla’s stock has suffered dramatically, losing over 50% of its value since Musk took office. Used Cybertrucks have declined in price, and some Tesla owners have added bumper stickers distancing themselves from Musk to avoid becoming targets. While the Biden administration previously supported Tesla and electric vehicles, Democratic leaders have been slow to respond to the ongoing vandalism, leaving the White House to position itself as Tesla’s primary defender.

Given the increasing organization behind these attacks and the emergence of direct action manuals like this one, further incidents appear likely. While some perpetrators may be opportunistic, the existence of strategic guidance indicates that more sophisticated attacks could be planned. With law enforcement intensifying efforts to crack down on these arsonists, the conflict between radical movements and the state is poised to escalate, making Tesla a continued flashpoint in America’s political landscape.