A man was reportedly arrested in Idaho over the weekend for allegedly driving his car into a pro-Trump counter-protester during a rally outside a Tesla dealership.
The incident occurred as approximately 30 anti-Musk demonstrators gathered to protest Elon Musk and cuts made by the Trump administration. The counter-protest attracted around 200 supporters.
The suspect, identified as 70-year-old Christopher Talbot, allegedly struck a 49-year-old man who had just parked his truck adorned with pro-Trump flags.
The victim suffered non-life-threatening injuries and drove himself to the hospital after the incident. Police reports indicate that Talbot made an obscene gesture toward the victim before the collision occurred.
Authorities tracked Talbot down using his license plate number and arrested him at his home, charging him with aggravated battery, a felony.
Meridian Police Department urged individuals to respect everyone’s right to protest peacefully and to avoid resorting to violence.
While most protests remained peaceful, tensions have escalated at some anti-Musk demonstrations.
For instance, last week, an incendiary device was discovered inside a Tesla showroom in Austin, Texas, prompting intervention from a police bomb squad.
In a separate incident in Las Vegas, a suspect was accused of setting two Tesla vehicles on fire and shooting at them in what was deemed a targeted attack.
Across the U.S., Canada, and Europe, organized protests against Musk, termed “Tesla Takedown” events, saw widespread participation.
A recent report highlighted that many involved in the protests were older individuals, retired from public sector jobs, voicing their discontent with Musk’s influence on government policies.
The incidents underscore the growing unrest surrounding Elon Musk’s business practices and political involvement.
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