A fiery spectacle is unfolding in the U.S. as Tesla showrooms and vehicles undergo a wave of attacks, drawing the ire of an embattled customer base and left-leaning activists alike. Yes, you heard that right. Molotov cocktails and bullets are targeting both the cars and the image of a company once celebrated for its innovation and sustainability.

Since Elon Musk started his riveting role in Trump’s new administration, it feels like the wild west of electric vehicles has taken a turn for the worse. Law enforcement is having their hands full as showrooms up in flames, and cars are vandalized with messages like “resist” plastered across their sides. It’s enough to make any eco-conscious consumer wince.

Incidents have been reported widely, from Portland to Las Vegas, showing a clear uptick in violence as the political climate becomes ever more toxic. Sociologist Randy Blazak provided insight, stating, “Tesla is an easy target. They’re rolling down our streets. They have dealerships in our neighborhoods”.

The juxtaposition of Tesla’s previous leftist darling status against the backlash stemming from Musk’s new friendships with the far-right creates a dizzying swirl of confusion. Once a champion of sustainability, Musk now finds himself amidst a storm of protests and vandalism, with people protesting not only the actions of the man but the product itself.

Celebrities and a U.S. senator have even vowed to sell their Teslas as they dissociate from the brand. Meanwhile, disgruntled Tesla owners are embedding their vehicles with cheeky bumper stickers like “I bought this before we knew Elon was crazy” as a way to signal they’re part of the ‘innocent until proven guilty’ camp of car owners.

The White House has dug in its heels to protect Musk, framing these attacks as “domestic terror” and vowing to unearth the masterminds behind the chaos. Meanwhile, peaceful protestors are left to navigate the messy fallout. The progressive group Indivisible claims its guidance only promotes nonviolent action and condemns vandalism, but it’s a tricky line to walk as tensions reach a breaking point.

There’s a growing sense of dismay among Tesla enthusiasts who find themselves in the center of political chaos as they repeatedly say: “A car is just a car!”

In a clash of ideals, the spotlight on Tesla reveals the complexities of being at the intersection of technology and ideology, where electric dreams can become fiery nightmares.