British World War II veteran has taken a stand against what he perceives as the resurgence of fascism, using a Sherman tank to crush a Tesla car on VE Day. The veteran, 98-year-old Ken Turner, drove the tank over the electric vehicle, which sported a license plate reading 'FASCISM', leaving it in ruins.
The Tesla was donated by a concerned owner who expressed outrage over Elon Musk's alleged support for far-right movements in Europe. This act of destruction was not just a random event; it was a symbolic gesture aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of fascism, which Turner believes is making a comeback.
Turner, who served as a Royal Engineer during the war, stated, “I’m old enough to have seen fascism the first time around, now it’s coming back.” His words reflect a deep concern for the political climate today, particularly regarding the influence of powerful figures like Musk. He continued, “Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, is using his immense power to support the far-right in Europe, and his money comes from Tesla cars.”
Before the tank rolled over the Tesla, Turner delivered a powerful message: “We’ve crushed fascism before, and we’ll crush it again. Let’s go!” This event took place in a field in Northamptonshire and was organized by the UK accountability project Led By Donkeys, a group known for its creative protests against political figures.
TANK vs TESLA
— Led By Donkeys (@ByDonkeys) May 7, 2025
"We've crushed fascism before and we'll crush it again"
- WW2 veteran Ken, 98, in the tank pic.twitter.com/O6NBNWr4sc
Led By Donkeys has a history of using innovative tactics to draw attention to their cause. They have previously projected films onto the side of Tesla's European headquarters in Amsterdam and even displayed Musk’s salute on the side of his gigafactory in Berlin. Their efforts culminated in what they claimed was the world’s largest anti-Musk protest on a beach in Wales.
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Meanwhile, Tesla's leadership has been facing its own challenges. Reports surfaced that the company’s board was considering finding a new CEO for Musk, which prompted a swift denial from Robyn Denholm, the chair of Tesla. She responded to the rumors with a simple yet firm statement: “this is absolutely false.”
These rumors emerged amid reports of declining sales and profits for Tesla, which have been attributed to a boycott of Musk's political involvement, particularly during his time in the Trump administration. The Wall Street Journal indicated that board members had reached out to executive search firms as tensions within the company grew.
Critics have also pointed fingers at Musk's leadership of the newly-formed advisory body, the Department for Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has faced backlash for overseeing significant cuts to various government agencies. Under DOGE, approximately 60,000 employees have been laid off, including those from the Internal Revenue Service, raising concerns about tax collection and budget deficits.
Despite the controversies surrounding him, Musk remains defiant. In his posts on X, the platform he owns, he labeled the reports about his potential replacement as “deliberately false.” Denholm reiterated the board's confidence in Musk, stating, “The CEO of Tesla is Elon Musk, and the Board is highly confident in his ability to continue executing on the exciting growth plan ahead.”
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how these events will impact Tesla and Musk's reputation, as protests against his political views continue to grow worldwide. The clash between a WWII veteran and a modern tech mogul serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing battle against fascism and the role of influential figures in shaping political discourse.
