Fox News host Harris Faulkner conjured up an outrageous hypothetical scenario in which vandals setting Tesla vehicles ablaze could receive the death penalty.
The series of attacks at Tesla dealerships and charging stations involving suspects lighting Teslas on fire are being viewed as a form of protest against Elon Musk, Tesla's CEO.
The unelected White House official appointed by Republican President Donald Trump to lead DOGE has become increasingly unpopular for his role in taking massive cuts to the federal government, resulting in the firing of thousands of federal workforce employees.
On a recent Fox segment, Faulkner discussed the Tesla attacks with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
“What happens if there’s someone in one of these cars? They blow up. That can happen," said Faulkner, adding:
"That becomes murder or worse, terrorism plus."
The conservative host mentioned an executive order Trump signed on January 20 that encouraged the Department of Justice to seek the death penalty in appropriate federal cases.
She asked Leavitt:
"Do you think this sort of thing–and I hate to think it, people leave their children and pets in cars."
"I mean, you don’t know. This is deadly, dangerous stuff these liberal protesters are playing with."
You can watch a clip here.
According to NBC News, law enforcement officials and domestic extremism experts have found no evidence that the Tesla attacks were coordinated.
Trump recently spouted the unfounded claim that "people that are very highly political on the left” were paying the vandals.
Social media users viewed Faulkner's comments as yet another example of far-right conservatives inciting fear among Americans.
Many thought Faulkner's suggestion was especially rich after Trump pardoned MAGA rioters who attacked the Capitol on January 6.
Leavitt responded by telling Faulkner that Trump condemned the "vicious violence" and is "determined to restore law and order."
She added that Trump would "ensure that the harshest penalties are pursued."
While the Tesla vehicles being lit on fire do not appear to be coordinated, non-violent protest groups like Tesla Takedown aim to make an economic impact on Musk by urging people to divest from Tesla by selling their vehicles and Tesla stock.
Meanwhile, videos showing vandals keying Tesla Cybertrucks and spreading dog feces on the vehicles have spread online as Musk and Trump's popularity continue to decline.
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