Elon Musk claims a protest organizer Tesla to commit crimes: NPR

Valerie Costa did not expect to be directly in Crosshair Elon Musk, but it is here.

Costa, 43, a community organizer in Seattle participated in the establishment of an environmental activist called rioters. Recently, it helped organize the local peaceful protests as part of Tesla Takedown, demonstrations It happens all over the world He objected to the CEO of Tesla Illon Musk, which is to reduce and disrupt the federal government.

in publication On X about the protest movement, Musk claimed the Costa Seattle group supported by ACT Blue, a platform for collecting online donations for Democrats.

She was confusing.

Costa said: “I was like, uh, we are not acting with the funding of Blue,” said Costa.

Before Costa can know how to respond, the musk shot Another function. This time he was more personal and inflammatory. He said, “Costa is committing crimes,” with a video of her appearing on a podcast.

Musk’s post did not provide any specific evidence or allegations, but the message was clear: Musk was blamed Costa for violence directed at the Tsalla cars since President Trump’s inauguration and assumed a moving wave in the White House.

“When one of the most powerful person says, if not the most powerful person in the world, you have committed a crime, it does not matter what the truth is,” said Costa.

Dozens of musk Costa fans targeted direct messages, social media and email messages. In many messages reviewed by NPR, supporters of Musk said they hope that the federal authorities will achieve them and even threaten physical violence against them.

“At this stage, I started to realize,” No, I must protect myself. “

She removed the largest possible personal information from the web. Even her online mail was dusted with attacks, so she deleted the address from her consultative website. It is associated with a lawyer. She then collected her room colleagues to draw the safety plan.

“What happens if the Federal Reserve comes?” She said.

Her instructions were clear: Do not speak to the FBI. Insist on the presence of a lawyer. Do not let enforcement of the law without a judicial order.

Costa is afraid that Musk will use his strength in the White House and its effect to apply more pressure.

In the face of the increasing protests against Tesla, Trump held an event with Musk in the White House Park last week and pledged to classify sabotage and attacks on the car maker as local terrorism.

“I will do it. I will stop them. If we arrest anyone who does it, because they are harmful to a great American company,” Trump said, standing in front of a row of Tslias.

There was a series to Arrests Concerned with violence against Tesla facilities. The authorities did not say any of the actions coordinated.

Costa said that Musk’s functions on X, not only amplifying false theories around those behind the protests, but also creative peaceful protests with violent work. She said this is very disturbing.

“I took a day and I was completely afraid, what do I do, how can I respond to this? Now I am very clear: I need to speak publicly and defend the right to protest. It is really an essential part of what it means to be an American.”

Musk and the White House did not return requests for comment.

Costa said that Tesla’s protests aim to harm Tesla, the main source of musk wealth, by encouraging people to boycott the company.

As an environmental expert, it may be embarrassing to oppose the electric car maker, but her greatest interest is to stop Musk’s work in reducing the federal government.

“This destruction has a direct impact on people’s lives and well -being,” she said.