Radical Group Tied to 2020 Philly Violence Linked to Nationwide Tesla Terror Attacks

A radical group that took credit for violent unrest in Philadelphia during the 2020 “Summer of Rage” has now turned its focus to supporting attacks on Tesla vehicles across the country, federal authorities say.

The group, calling itself Philly Anti-Capitalist, published a post on its website advising attackers on more effective ways to carry out arson without leaving forensic evidence.

The post discourages the use of Molotov cocktails, suggesting instead the use of alternative incendiary devices that are harder to trace.

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Federal investigators say Tesla dealerships and charging stations have become frequent targets in a wave of politically motivated attacks.

The escalation comes as Elon Musk now leads President Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Attorney General Pam Bondi has classified the Tesla-related attacks as “domestic terrorism.”

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On Thursday, the Department of Justice announced federal charges against three individuals in connection with a series of firebombings targeting Tesla facilities.

The president addressed the incidents on Friday in a post on Truth Social: “I look forward to watching the sick terrorist thugs get 20 year jail sentences for what they are doing to Elon Musk and Tesla. Perhaps they could serve them in the prisons of El Salvador, which have become so recently famous for such lovely conditions!”

I look forward to watching the sick terrorist thugs get 20 year jail sentences for what they are doing to Elon Musk and Tesla. Perhaps they could serve them in the prisons of El Salvador, which have become so recently famous for such lovely conditions!

Donald Trump Truth Social…

— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) March 21, 2025

Philly Anti-Capitalist is no stranger to violent activity.

According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, the group previously vandalized a University of Pennsylvania police vehicle, shattered business windows, destroyed an ATM, and spray-painted anarchist and anti-police slogans throughout the neighborhood near the university.

Police advised residents and students to stay indoors during the unrest.

“The Division of Public Safety updated its website with a more detailed explanation of the events at approximately 10:00 p.m. that night, before an all-clear update was issued at 10:21 p.m.,”

The Daily Pennsylvanian reported of the August 25, 2020 riot.

“An initial UPenn alert about the unrest was sent to the Penn community at 9:37 p.m.”

Now, the same group appears to be encouraging and enabling the current surge in Tesla-related arsons.

The recent post on its website offers explicit instructions on how to assemble and deploy explosives for maximum destruction.

It includes tips on quantity and placement of incendiary material, as well as guidance for attackers on how to avoid injury and evade detection.

“Stay anonymous, get home safe, and go torch the ever loving s— out of every part of this miserable society,” the post reads.

The group also openly celebrated the ongoing vandalism and arson, stating, “Seeing the wave of tesla arsons has made us incredibly happy.”

Fox News Digital reached out to the FBI, ATF, and Pennsylvania State Police, all of whom declined to comment.

Attempts to contact the Philadelphia Police Department, Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, and the group itself also went unanswered.

Federal charges were filed Thursday against three individuals for their alleged roles in the Tesla firebombings.

Adam Matthew Lansky, 41, allegedly threw eight Molotov cocktails at a Tesla dealership in Salem, Oregon, on January 20, according to federal prosecutors.

Lucy Grace Nelson, also known as Justin Thomas Nelson, 42, was arrested in Loveland, Colorado, on January 29 after reportedly attempting to ignite Teslas using Molotov cocktails.

Daniel Clarke-Pounder, 24, is accused of writing anti-Trump graffiti and pro-Ukraine messages near Tesla charging stations in Charleston, South Carolina, before using Molotov cocktails to set three of them on fire on March 7.

The investigation into the broader network supporting the attacks is ongoing.

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