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A 70-year-old man from Meridian, Idaho, has been charged with aggravated assault after allegedly hitting a counter-protester with his vehicle outside a Tesla dealership. This incident occurred during an anti-Tesla rally that took place on Saturday, where about 30 people protested against the company, while a much larger counter-protest of approximately 200 people gathered to support Tesla.

Tesla and its CEO, Elon Musk, have recently been at the center of public outcry, attracting both vandalism and protests. Musk's involvement in political discussions, particularly during President Trump's second administration, has spurred anti-Musk groups to organize protests nationwide, called "Tesla Takedown" events, including one in Meridian.

During the confrontation, a 49-year-old male counter-protester was allegedly struck by Christopher Talbot as he was making an obscene gesture. The victim had just parked his vehicle adorned with pro-Trump flags and sustained non-life-threatening injuries. He took himself to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Law enforcement tracked down Talbot using his vehicle's license plate and arrested him at his home. He was subsequently booked into Ada County Jail and charged with a felony for aggravated battery, according to the Ada County Sheriff's Office.

The Meridian Police Department emphasized the importance of respecting everyone's right to peaceful protest and the necessity of expressing First Amendment rights without resorting to violence.