AOC Dodges Questions on Democrats' Rhetoric and Tesla Attacks

Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a prominent member of the "Squad," declined to comment when asked whether her party's fiery rhetoric against Elon Musk might be linked to the surge in violent attacks targeting Tesla owners and properties across the country.

During an interaction with Fox News Digital, Ocasio-Cortez avoided addressing whether she still owns a Tesla, citing "security reasons." The congresswoman had purchased a Tesla Model 3 back in 2020, but her current ownership status remains unclear.

Musk, who has been a lightning rod for criticism from Democrats due to his leadership of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has faced accusations ranging from being a "Nazi" to being labeled a "threat to democracy." Ocasio-Cortez herself has been vocal in her disdain for Musk, calling him a "leech on the public" in a March 1 post on X (formerly Twitter). She further accused him of exploiting vulnerable groups for personal gain through tax cuts, saying, "It’s disgusting."

Fox News Digital pressed Ocasio-Cortez on whether the rhetoric from her party might have influenced the recent wave of violence against Tesla. Her response started with, "Yeah, I mean, again, I’ve seen Republicans call me communist and that I hate this country," before she trailed off without answering directly.

In recent weeks, there have been over 80 acts of vandalism against Tesla vehicles in the U.S. and Canada, along with at least 10 incidents of arson and vandalism targeting Tesla dealerships and charging stations. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has classified these acts as "domestic terrorism." Three individuals were charged on March 20 for using Molotov cocktails during attacks on Tesla properties, and they now face charges carrying penalties of five to 20 years in prison.

Bondi issued a stern warning, "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." Despite the severity of these incidents, many leading Democrats, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Representative Nancy Pelosi, have remained silent on the matter.

Ocasio-Cortez’s reluctance to condemn the attacks on Tesla properties contrasts sharply with her previous accusations against Republicans for engaging in "stochastic terrorism." She has claimed that GOP rhetoric incited threats against her, forcing her to hire security and ride in armored vehicles. During a CNN interview in 2023, she even accused former President Donald Trump of using his rallies to stoke political intimidation and violence.

While she has been vocal about the dangers of incendiary language from her opponents, her refusal to comment on the actions of her own party has raised eyebrows. The ongoing Tesla-related violence has left many wondering whether political rhetoric is truly a double-edged sword, capable of cutting both ways.