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It's not easy for Tesla owners right now — and 3 in Florida told us how they're dealing with vandalism and shame

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Summary
Nutrition label

73% Informative

Tesla drivers are getting flipped off and being called Nazis .

Dealerships and charging stations have become the site of protests, vandalism, and even arson.

Business Insider spoke with three men who bought Tesla cars in Florida , the second state behind California when it comes to Tesla sales.

One of the owners sold his dream car because of Musk 's growing political stances.

Eric Branch sold a Tesla Model 3 Performance for a little under $50,000 in 2023 and bought a Mercedes .

Branch, a former stockholder, said you can't separate the company from Musk .

Branch said that close association was good for the brand when Musk was popular and seen as an Edison -like figure.

VR Score

71

Informative language

65

Neutral language

58

Article tone

informal

Language

English

Language complexity

38

Offensive language

possibly offensive

Hate speech

not hateful

Attention-grabbing headline

not detected

Known propaganda techniques

not detected

Time-value

short-lived

External references

21

https://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-cybertruck-review-annoying-features-windshield-wheel-covers-safety-2024-4https://www.businessinsider.com/why-i-decided-against-buying-a-tesla-model-3-2019-8https://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-takedown-protests-photos-2025-2https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/mar/15/vandalized-tesla-elon-musk-trumphttps://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/advice/tesla-model-y-vs-volkswagen-id-4?slide=14https://www.npr.org/2025/01/27/nx-s1-5276084/elon-musk-german-far-right-afd-holocausthttps://www.businessinsider.com/cybertruck-driver-angry-people-tesla-elon-musk-2025-1https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250303-dozen-teslas-torched-outside-french-dealership-authoritieshttps://x.com/elonmusk/status/1881536518206218445?lang=enhttps://www.businessinsider.com/5-key-points-elon-musk-interview-joe-rogan-doge-ai-2025-3https://www.businessinsider.com/used-tesla-listings-elon-musk-2025-3https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/tesla-sales-by-statehttps://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2025/03/20/trump-ev-tesla-tax-credits/https://www.businessinsider.com/pressure-mounts-on-tesla-protest-organizers-ahead-of-demonstrations-2025-3https://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-elon-musk-identity-crisis-doge-2025-3https://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-owner-confronted-about-musk-shocked-2025-3https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/25/fbi-tesla-taskforce-vandalismhttps://www.businessinsider.com/mercedes-benz-eqe-electric-suv-review-tesla-model-x-2023-9https://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-cybertruck-my-favorite-features-wireless-charging-speed-range-2024-6https://www.businessinsider.com/cybertruck-drivers-face-damages-repairs-mardi-gras-parade-2025-3https://www.kron4.com/news/bay-area/sell-your-swasticar-bay-area-tesla-owners-being-targeted-urged-to-sell-vehicle/

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