CNN Panelists Joke, Laugh About Tesla Terrorism as DOJ Files Felony Charges [WATCH]

Federal authorities announced felony charges Friday against three individuals accused of using explosive devices to attack Tesla vehicles in multiple states, as left-wing media personalities and late-night comedians face criticism for making light of the politically motivated violence.

The Department of Justice confirmed the suspects targeted Tesla dealerships and vehicles in Washington, Colorado, and North Carolina.

All three defendants are described as left-wing activists who, according to investigators, were motivated by opposition to Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s political affiliations and his role as chairman of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a federal agency created by President Donald Trump in January.

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“The days of committing crimes without consequence have ended,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement Friday.

“Let this be a warning: if you join this wave of domestic terrorism against Tesla properties, the Department of Justice will put you behind bars.”

If you join this wave of domestic terrorism against Tesla properties, the Department of Justice will put you behind bars.

一 ATTORNEY GENERAL PAMELA BONDI pic.twitter.com/Pk4jrV5VQT

— DogeDesigner (@cb_doge) March 20, 2025

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The DOGE agency, announced by President Trump on November 12 and formally established through an executive order on January 20, has already reported over $115 billion in identified savings for U.S. taxpayers, according to official figures.

Musk was tapped to lead the agency with a focus on cutting government waste and improving federal operations.

In recent weeks, Tesla dealerships and vehicle owners have seen a sharp rise in violent attacks, including arson and firebombing.

While law enforcement agencies have moved to address the threats, some members of the media have treated the events as a punchline.

During a Saturday broadcast of CNN’s late-night comedy panel show, guests mocked the growing number of incidents involving Tesla properties.

Amber Ruffin, a left-wing activist and entertainer, responded to a discussion of Musk’s recent pledge to get involved in judicial elections by asking, “When do we riot?”

The remark received cheers and applause from the studio audience.

Michael Ian Black, a performer best known for his role on “Reno 911,” followed up with a comment about committing arson.

“Here’s what I’ve been doing: I’ve been going around to random Tesla dealerships and lighting cars on fire,” Black said.

He then added, “I just realized: There’s a good chance I’ll get arrested for saying I was lighting cars on fire at a Tesla dealership. I didn’t do that, I wouldn’t do that.”

The audience continued to laugh throughout the segment, even as the jokes centered around acts of property destruction involving fire and explosives.

Earlier in the week, ABC late-night host Jimmy Kimmel appeared to offer a subtle endorsement of the attacks.

“People have been vandalizing Tesla vehicles, new Tesla vehicles. Please don’t vandalize, don’t ever vandalize Tesla vehicles,” Kimmel said during a monologue, pausing and glancing into the camera as his audience erupted in laughter.

Jimmy Kimmel: “Tesla stock is way down… *Crowd laughs.* People have been vandalizing new Tesla vehicles. Please, don’t vandalize. Don’t ever vandalize Tesla vehicles. *Crowd laughs*” pic.twitter.com/cbz3IHm42K

— Unlimited L’s (@unlimited_ls) March 19, 2025

The tone of these segments has drawn comparisons to the way national media treated the widespread unrest during the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, where many hosts took openly supportive stances.

Despite the comments from prominent media figures, the Department of Justice emphasized that any involvement in attacks on Tesla properties will be pursued as serious criminal conduct.

According to law enforcement, the suspects in the latest cases face felony charges that include mandatory minimum prison sentences.

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