Protesters Smash Tesla in London, Auction Car to Aid Food Banks

A protest targeting billionaire Elon Musk turned dramatic on Thursday in London when activists destroyed a Tesla car as part of a public demonstration.

The group behind the action, Everyone Hates Elon, described the event as a “public art project” and invited passersby to join in smashing the secondhand Tesla using sledgehammers and baseball bats. A sign at the scene read: “Therapy is expensive, but this is free.”

Organizers said the vandalized vehicle will be auctioned off to raise funds for local food banks. “There are more billionaires than ever before and more food banks than ever before. These things are obviously connected,” a spokesperson told local media.

According to the group’s Instagram page, the car was already slated for scrap, and the protest was conducted under controlled and safe conditions.

The campaign has gained attention for its provocative posters and slogans, including “Don’t buy a Swasticar” and “X marks the rot,” aimed at criticizing Musk’s business practices and political ties.

Tesla-related vandalism has also occurred elsewhere, including a suspected arson fire in Rome that destroyed 17 vehicles. In recent months, Tesla sales have sharply declined across parts of Europe following Musk’s alignment with U.S. President Donald Trump and controversial political movements in the UK and Germany.

Sales in countries such as Germany, Belgium, Sweden, Denmark, and Switzerland dropped by more than 50% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the previous year.