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Palm Beach County, FL - A protest outside a Tesla dealership in Palm Beach County took a dangerous turn over the weekend when a man allegedly drove his car onto a sidewalk full of demonstrators.
No one was injured, but the incident reflects rising tensions linked to political and corporate alliances involving Elon Musk and former President Donald Trump.
The protest was part of a nationwide wave of demonstrations targeting businesses tied to Musk’s electric vehicle company.
Demonstrators are speaking out against Musk’s reported collaboration with Trump’s administration, which has prioritized large-scale federal workforce reductions and budget cuts through the recently established Department of Government Efficiency.
Authorities say the Saturday demonstration was disrupted when Andrew Dutil allegedly drove his car slowly through the crowd gathered on the sidewalk.
Witnesses claim people were forced to jump out of the way as the vehicle approached.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Dutil was arrested at the scene and is now facing assault charges.
Court documents do not yet list an attorney representing him.
While no one was harmed, the incident is part of a larger pattern of backlash against Musk and Tesla.
Recent weeks have seen other alarming acts, including Tesla vehicles set ablaze in Seattle and gunfire aimed at a dealership in Oregon.
The partnership between Trump and Musk, aimed at slashing what they describe as government “waste and fraud,” has sparked controversy, particularly from federal workers and advocacy groups warning of economic and institutional fallout.
Authorities continue to investigate the Palm Beach incident further.
Law enforcement is urging protesters to remain peaceful and for counteractions to stay within legal bounds.