WATCH: Jimmy Kimmel Seemingly Endorses Violence Against Tesla Dealers, Owners
Jimmy Kimmel appeared to endorse violent attacks on Tesla dealerships and owners — some of which have involved homemade explosive devices — during Tuesday’s edition of Jimmy Kimmel Live.
The alleged comedian began by pointing to the recent dip in the Musk-owned company’s stock price, which comes amidst a market-wide rough couple of weeks. “Our co-president Elon Musk sent a SpaceX vehicle to bring the astronauts back and when they landed he fired them immediately upon landing. Tesla stock is way down, almost disastrously so,” Kimmel claimed.
The joke drew loud cheers from the audience, even though Tesla’s stock price is still up 38 percent over the past year. Kimmel then addressed the recent acts of vandalism against Tesla vehicles that have been plaguing the country in recent weeks.
“People have been vandalizing Tesla vehicles, new Tesla vehicles. Please don’t vandalize, don’t ever vandalize Tesla vehicles,” Kimmel said before briefly pausing and looking into the camera. The crowd then laughed at the ABC host’s wink and nod at political violence.
Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) asked whether Kimmel will face any consequences for his remarks in an X post. Does ABC approve of Jimmy Kimmel’s on-air incitement of criminal behavior? Will ABC take any action or make any statement in response to it?” the senator asked. “If not, why not?”
While Kimmel is unlikely to face any consequences for his statements, Attorney General Pam Bondi has confirmed that the FBI is investigating acts of violence against Tesla owners and widespread fire bombing of dealerships. “If you’re gonna touch a Tesla, go to a dealership, do anything, you better watch out, because we’re coming after you.”
Acts of violence against Tesla dealerships and owners have rapidly increased in recent weeks. In Seattle, four Tesla vehicles were set on fire while others were vandalized with anti-Elon Musk graffiti on a private lot last week.
Additional incidents across the United States have been directly attributed to anti-Trump/Musk extremists. Last Friday, a Tesla charging station in South Carolina was torched with a homemade Molotov cocktail. The attacker, who has yet to be identified, spelled out the words “LONG LIVE UKRAINE” in red paint just in front of the charging station, according to the North Charleston Police Department.
In the most recent incident, a number of Tesla vehicles were set on fire at a Las Vegas dealership on Tuesday.
Happening this morning in my town of Las Vegas, several Tesla vehicles engulfed in flames! This is horrific and evil, it must stop immediately!!!! pic.twitter.com/XsRB2ONRgm
— Elizabeth Helgelien (@ElizabethForNV) March 18, 2025