Tesla Owners Doxed: Sell Your Car or Stay on the List
- 17GEN4
- Mar 18
- 6 min read
Washington, D.C. – March 18, 2025 – A disturbing new chapter in the ongoing backlash against Tesla and its CEO, Elon Musk, has emerged with the launch of a website called “Dogequest.” The site has reportedly published the personal information of Tesla owners across the United States, including names, addresses, and phone numbers, displayed on an interactive map with a Molotov cocktail as its cursor. In a provocative twist, the site claims it will only remove an individual’s data if they can provide proof that they have sold their Tesla vehicle—a move that appears to be a direct response to Musk’s growing ties with the Trump administration. This development coincides with a wave of anti-Tesla sentiment, marked by gunfire at dealerships, arson attempts, and widespread harassment of Cybertruck owners, as protests against the electric vehicle giant intensify nationwide.
The Rise of “Dogequest”
The “Dogequest” website, which surfaced in recent days, has sent shockwaves through the Tesla community and beyond. Described as a searchable database, it allegedly pinpoints the locations of Tesla owners across the country, alongside details such as their contact information and, in some cases, their employment status. The site’s interface, complete with a Molotov cocktail cursor, has raised immediate red flags, with many interpreting it as a symbolic call to action against Tesla owners. According to reports from 404 Media, an investigative journalism outlet, the accuracy of the data remains uncertain. While some entries have been verified as belonging to genuine Tesla owners or Musk supporters, others appear questionable, casting doubt on the site’s overall credibility.
Under a section titled “Is DOGEQUEST a protest platform?” the website states, “If you’re on the hunt for a Tesla to unleash your artistic flair with a spray can, just step outside—no map needed! At DOGEQUEST, we believe in empowering creative expressions of protest that you can execute from the comfort of your own home.” This cryptic message, paired with the site’s inflammatory design, has fueled speculation that it is intended to intimidate Tesla owners and encourage acts of vandalism or harassment. The site’s operators have offered a single concession: individuals can request removal of their data by emailing proof of a Tesla sale to “takedown@dogeque.st,” accepting only scanned documents in JPG or PNG formats. Attempts to contact the site’s administrators for comment have gone unanswered, leaving their motives and identities shrouded in mystery.
A Backdrop of Anti-Tesla Hostility
The emergence of “Dogequest” comes at a time of heightened tension surrounding Tesla, driven largely by Elon Musk’s prominent role in President Donald Trump’s administration. Since taking office in January 2025, Trump has tapped Musk to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a controversial task force aimed at slashing federal spending and workforce numbers. Under Musk’s direction, DOGE has already eliminated over 62,000 federal jobs, sparking widespread outrage among government employees, unions, and progressive activists. Musk’s close alignment with Trump—highlighted by a recent photo of the two sitting together in a Tesla parked near the White House—has only intensified public anger toward the billionaire and his companies.
This political entanglement has spilled over into the streets, where Tesla dealerships, vehicles, and charging stations have become targets of violence and vandalism. Over the past two months, more than a dozen incidents have been reported across the U.S., ranging from gunfire to Molotov cocktail attacks. In Loveland, Colorado, a woman identified as Lucy Grace Nelson was arrested after allegedly throwing Molotov cocktails at a Tesla dealership and spray-painting “Nazi” on its entrance sign. In Oregon, a Salem dealership was hit by gunfire and incendiary devices in separate incidents, causing hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage. Meanwhile, in Littleton, Massachusetts, seven Tesla charging stations were intentionally set ablaze, prompting local police to denounce the destruction as an ineffective means of protest.
Cybertruck owners, in particular, have reported a surge in harassment, from verbal insults and obscene gestures to physical attacks on their vehicles. During a Mardi Gras parade earlier this month, a Cybertruck was pelted with beads, bottles, and debris for hours as it navigated the route—a stark illustration of the growing animosity toward Tesla’s brand. “I bought this car for its technology and environmental benefits,” said Pablo Espinosa, a Tesla Model Y owner from Chicago whose vehicle was vandalized with a scratched expletive on its hood. “Now I’m reconsidering if it’s worth the hassle.”
The Trump-Musk Connection
The root of this unrest appears to lie in Musk’s deepening involvement in Trump’s administration. Once viewed primarily as a visionary entrepreneur, Musk has become a polarizing figure in American politics, drawing ire from those who oppose Trump’s policies and DOGE’s aggressive cost-cutting measures. Trump has publicly defended Tesla, calling it “a great product” and vowing to classify violence against its facilities as “domestic terrorism.” Last week, he posed with Musk in a red Tesla sedan on the White House lawn, flanked by several other models, in a show of support amid the company’s mounting troubles. “We have to celebrate him,” Trump said of Musk, underscoring their alliance.
However, this endorsement has done little to stem the tide of anti-Tesla sentiment. Protests dubbed “Tesla Takedown” have sprung up in cities nationwide, with demonstrators gathering outside showrooms to decry Musk’s influence. In New York City, a recent demonstration saw hundreds swarm a Manhattan dealership, resulting in six arrests after protesters occupied the showroom. In Boston, a festive protest featured a brass band and signs mocking Musk and DOGE, while in Fort Lauderdale, demonstrators waved anti-Musk placards decrying “fascism” and federal layoffs. The scale and frequency of these protests signal a broader cultural shift, with Tesla increasingly viewed as a symbol of Musk’s political ambitions rather than a mere car company.
Economic Fallout and Public Perception
The turmoil has taken a toll on Tesla’s bottom line. Since Trump’s inauguration, the company’s stock price has plummeted 44%, dropping from a high of nearly $480 per share in December 2024 to around $230 as of Tuesday afternoon. Analysts attribute this decline to a combination of factors, including Musk’s polarizing leadership, reports of product reliability issues, and the rising costs of vandalism-related insurance claims. “Tesla Model 3, Model Y, and Model X are the most expensive EVs to insure as of February 2025,” noted Shannon Martin, an insurance analyst at Bankrate, highlighting the financial burden now facing owners.
For many Tesla drivers, the situation feels like a betrayal of their initial investment. “I bought my car because I liked the convenience of EVs and cared about the environment,” one owner wrote on X. “Now I feel like I’m being punished for it through no fault of my own.” Another, Miguel, a Chicago-based Uber driver who withheld his last name for fear of reprisals, reported a spike in ride cancellations after passengers noticed his Tesla on the app. “They assume things about me because of the car I drive,” he said. “Once they talk to me, they realize I’m just a guy trying to make a living.”
Legal and Ethical Questions
The “Dogequest” site has sparked urgent questions about privacy, legality, and accountability. Doxing—the public release of private information with malicious intent—is illegal in many jurisdictions, and legal experts suggest the site’s operators could face significant consequences if identified. “This is a clear violation of privacy rights and could constitute harassment or incitement to violence,” said Sarah Thompson, a cybersecurity attorney based in Washington, D.C. “The challenge will be tracing the perpetrators, especially if they’ve taken steps to anonymize their operation.”
Tesla has yet to issue an official statement on “Dogequest,” though the company has previously vowed to press charges for vandalism at its facilities. The Trump administration, meanwhile, has remained silent on the doxing controversy, even as it ramps up rhetoric against Tesla’s detractors. The lack of clarity on where the site sourced its data—whether from public records, hacked databases, or fabricated lists—only deepens the unease among affected owners.
A Nation Divided
The “Dogequest” saga underscores a broader societal rift, one exacerbated by Musk’s outsized influence and the polarizing policies of the Trump administration. For Tesla owners, the stakes are personal: sell their cars and potentially escape the crosshairs, or hold firm and risk further targeting. For Musk and Tesla, the challenge is existential—how to weather a storm of public backlash without losing the innovation-driven identity that once defined the brand.
As anti-Tesla protests show no signs of abating, and with “Dogequest” amplifying the threat, the road ahead remains uncertain. What began as a futuristic vision of sustainable transportation has morphed into a lightning rod for political and cultural discontent, leaving owners, investors, and onlookers to grapple with the fallout. In the words of one protester outside a New York dealership, “This isn’t just about cars anymore—it’s about power, and who gets to wield it.” 17GEN4.com
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