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Gunshots rock Tesla store in Salem, OR as FBI probes second attack in a month

Credit: Tesla Asia/X

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A Tesla dealership was subjected to an apparent attack in Salem, Oregon. Early Wednesday, gunfire shattered windows at the Tesla location. 

This marks the second criminal strike against the Tesla store in a month, with the first incident being reported on January 20.

Latest incident: 

  • Authorities rolled up to 2755 Mission St. S.E. just before 5 a.m. after receiving reports of busted windows at the Tesla Salem store, as per a report from the Salem Reporter
  • As per agency spokeswoman Angela Hedrick, the damage appears to have been caused by gunshots.
  • “Officers found the damage to be from gunshots,” Hedrick noted, adding that the investigation into the incident is still ongoing and that no arrests have been made so far.
  • This recent attack follows a Jan. 20 arson incident at the Tesla store. In that incident, one car was torched, and a window was smashed. 
  • Cops labeled the January attack arson, though no suspects have been named to date.

Feds are stepping in: 

  • The FBI is assisting the Salem Police Department in its investigation into the two attacks on the Tesla store. 
  • Hedrick, however, did not explain why the FBI is involved. “The FBI’s standard practice is to assist local agencies with ligation their expertise or tools, for example, if it can benefit an investigation,” Hedrick noted. 
  • When asked if the incident was political, Hedrick noted that the investigation is still ongoing.
  • “The incident was reported less than six hours ago, and we have detectives that are still on the scene gathering evidence and facts in the case,” Hedrick said when asked.

The Musk Target: 

  • Teslas are catching heat nationwide, thanks to CEO Elon Musk’s support of U.S. President Donald Trump and his work at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
  • Political critics have called for Musk’s deportation and arrest, as well as a boycott of Musk-related products.
  • In a comment to KATU2 News, Tesla owner Sharon Monsivais explained that she found the entire situation very unfortunate.
  • “It is very unfortunate that we live in these times that these things are happening. I recognized that Elon Musk is a very controversial figure, and I bought this car knowing that he was a controversial figure. I don’t agree with everything that he does and don’t like him quite frankly, but I wanted a environmentally friendly car. I think it’s sending the wrong message to shoot up a dealership that has nothing to do with presumably whatever their feelings are,” she noted.

Don’t hesitate to contact us with news tips. Just send a message to simon@teslarati.com to give us a heads up.

Simon is an experienced automotive reporter with a passion for electric cars and clean energy. Fascinated by the world envisioned by Elon Musk, he hopes to make it to Mars (at least as a tourist) someday. For stories or tips--or even to just say a simple hello--send a message to his email, simon@teslarati.com or his handle on X, @ResidentSponge.

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Elon Musk

Elon Musk echoes worries over Tesla control against activist shareholders

Elon Musk has spoken on several occasions of the “activist shareholders” who threaten his role at Tesla.

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Credit: xAI | X

Elon Musk continues to raise concerns over his control of Tesla as its CEO and one of its founders, as activist shareholders seem to be a viable threat to the company in his eyes.

Musk has voiced concerns over voting control of Tesla and the possibility of him being ousted by shareholders who do not necessarily have the company’s future in mind. Instead, they could be looking to oust Musk because of his political beliefs or because of his vast wealth.

We saw an example of that as shareholders voted on two separate occasions to award Musk a 2018 compensation package that was earned as Tesla met various growth goals through the CEO’s leadership.

Despite shareholders voting to award Musk with the compensation package on two separate occasions, once in 2018 and again in 2024, Delaware Chancery Court Judge Kathaleen McCormick denied the CEO the money both times. At one time, she called it an “unfathomable sum.”

Musk’s current stake in Tesla stands at 12.8 percent, but he has an option to purchase 304 million shares, which, if exercised, after taxes, he says, would bump his voting control up about 4 percent.

However, this is not enough of a stake in the company, as he believes a roughly 25 percent ownership stake would be enough “to be influential, but not so much that I can’t be overturned,” he said in January 2024.

Musk’s concerns were echoed in another X post from Thursday, where he confirmed he has no current personal loans against Tesla stock, and he reiterated his concerns of being ousted from the company by those he has referred to in the past as “activist shareholders.”

Elon Musk explains why he wants 25% voting share at Tesla: “I just want to be an effective steward of very powerful technology”

The CEO said during the company’s earnings call in late July:

“That is a major concern for me, as I’ve mentioned in the past. I hope that is addressed at the upcoming shareholders’ meeting. But, yeah, it is a big deal. I want to find that I’ve got so little control that I can easily be ousted by activist shareholders after having built this army of humanoid robots. I think my control over Tesla, Inc. should be enough to ensure that it goes in a good direction, but not so much control that I can’t be thrown out if I go crazy.”

The X post from Thursday said:

There is a concern that Musk could eventually put his money where his mouth is, and if politicians and judges are able to limit his ownership stake as they’ve been able to do with his pay package, he could eventually leave the company.

The company’s shareholders voted overwhelmingly to approve Musk’s pay package. A vast majority of those who voted to get Musk paid still want him to be running Tesla’s day-to-day operations. Without his guidance, the company could face a major restructuring and would have a vastly new look and thesis.

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Elon Musk

Tesla exec gives big update on Roadster, confirming recent rumor

The Tesla Roadster might finally be on the way.

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Tesla Roadster at Tesla Battery Day 2020 Credit: @BLKMDL3 | Twitter

A Tesla executive gave a big update on the long-awaited Roadster project, confirming some recent rumors about an X post from CEO Elon Musk.

Musk said recently that he attended a meeting at Tesla’s Design Studio in Hawthorne, California, next to SpaceX headquarters. He added that there would be a “most epic demo” performed by the end of 2025, but did not give any details pertaining to what project it was related to.

Tesla Roadster to fill the void left by canceled Model S Plaid Plus: Musk

Last night, the X Takeover occurred in California, and Senior Vice President of Powertrain for Tesla, Lars Moravy, confirmed some big details about Musk’s post.

Much of the Tesla community believed it was about the Roadster, and that was the first thing Moravy confirmed. He also said that Tesla is “gearing up for a super cool demo,” and that they showed Musk some of the tech the company has been working on that will be implemented into the Roadster.

Moravy said:

“Roadster is definitely in development. We did talk about it last Sunday night. We are gearing up for a super cool demo. It’s going to be mind-blowing; We showed Elon some cool demos last week of the tech we’ve been working on, and he got a little excited.”

The Roadster has been in development for a very long time, and it has been delayed on many occasions. Tesla has stated that it will continue to add technology for a while, as COVID-19 has delayed some projects, and the company’s focus is on initiatives that will benefit humanity.

Nevertheless, many people have been waiting for the vehicle for a very long time. Some won it through the company’s referral program, while others have put down a $50,000 deposit. Tesla has been hinting that it is adding some interesting tech to the Roadster, including the SpaceX package that will help it hover and reach 0-60 MPH in just 1.1 seconds.

Tesla Roadster SpaceX Package’s 1.1-second 0-60 mph launch visualized in concept video

It sounds as if this could be one of the few things that Tesla could show off at the demo Musk hyped up last week.

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Elon Musk

xAI, Musk Foundation helps schools near Memphis supercomputer site

Reports of xAI and the Musk Foundation’s work were recently posted by local news media.

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xAI-supercomputer-memphis-environment-pushback
(Credit: xAI)

Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence startup xAI and the Musk Foundation have been supporting Memphis-Shelby County Schools with HVAC repairs and facility upgrades, while also funding youth programs for students in the area. 

Reports of xAI and the Musk Foundation’s work were recently posted by local news media.

xAI’s school visits lead to facility repairs

Representatives from xAI visited John P. Freeman Optional School, Fairley High School, and Westwood High School, all of which are located near its Colossus supercomputer site, to assess HVAC systems, plumbing, gym facilities, and athletic fields. The visits resulted in a list of priority repairs, some of which were completed in April and May.

In addition to the repairs, xAI also shared a number of initiatives that are planned for students in the area, as stated in a Commercial Appeal report.

“xAI is working on providing STEM workshops for local students, donating equipment to technical training programs, and supporting job fairs to boost employment opportunities. These initiatives reflect xAl’s commitment to fostering education and economic growth in Memphis,” xAI noted in a statement.

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Musk Foundation donation

Apart from xAI, the Musk Foundation also donated $350,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis, enabling the reopening of two club sites located at Booker T. Washington High School and Westwood High School. Both locations had closed earlier this year due to lapses in funding. As per xAI, the Musk Foundation’s donation allows clubs to reopen for almost 1,000 students. 

The donation will fund staffing, supplies, and transportation, among others. “Kids are the future of humanity,” Elon Musk said in a statement, adding that students need “every chance to shoot for the stars.”

“We’re honored to support the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis in reopening these sites, giving kids in underserved communities the tools to build brighter futures,” Musk said.

The gift was praised by local officials, including Boys & Girls Clubs board chair Michael Garriga, who stated that the “commitment will ensure the youth of our community have the opportunities they need to develop their skills and talents to become successful students and future citizens.”

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