Idaho man arrested after allegedly hitting protester with car at Tesla dealership

A 70-year-old man from Meridian, Idaho, named Christopher Talbot faces aggravated battery charges after allegedly hitting a counter-protester with his vehicle during rival demonstrations outside a Tesla dealership. The incident took place on March 29 around 1 p.m. as tensions flared between a group protesting Elon Musk's political involvement and a larger group supporting the Tesla CEO.

The demonstrations saw approximately 30 protesters, organized by groups named Troublemakers and The Disruption Project, opposing Musk’s actions, while close to 200 counter-protesters, mobilized by the Idaho Liberty Dogs, showed their support for Musk and the dealership. The original protest focused on Musk's role in the Department of Government Efficiency, also referred to as DOGE, with claims that he was undermining democracy with his wealth.

According to the Meridian Police Department, the confrontation occurred when Talbot made an obscene gesture toward a 49-year-old victim, who was driving a truck adorned with pro-Trump flags. The victim had just parked and exited his vehicle when Talbot struck him. He recorded Talbot’s license plate before seeking treatment at a local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

Talbot was later identified and arrested at his home without incident. He was booked into Ada County Jail on a charge of aggravated battery. The police emphasized the importance of respecting the right to protest while avoiding violent actions during such events.

Authorities are seeking additional information on the incident and encourage anyone with relevant details to reach out to Ada County Dispatch.