On Friday, former President Donald Trump proposed sending those who vandalize Tesla vehicles to the notoriously harsh prisons of El Salvador.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “I look forward to watching the sick terrorist thugs get 20 year jail sentences for what they are doing to Elon Musk and Tesla. Perhaps they could serve them in the prisons of El Salvador, which have become so recently famous for such lovely conditions!”
Trump has been vocal in supporting Elon Musk’s company, Tesla, which has faced challenges recently with declining sales and stock prices. The former president has backed Musk amid protests and attacks against Tesla vehicles and facilities.
On Thursday, the U.S. Justice Department charged three individuals for using Molotov cocktails to destroy Tesla cars and showrooms. The charges are linked to the #TeslaTakedown movement, which is aimed at hurting Musk’s company due to his involvement with the cryptocurrency DOGE. The three accused could face sentences from 5 to 20 years if found guilty.
The U.S. recently made a deal with El Salvador, allowing deported migrants to be sent there. Many of these deportees are being held in the CECOT prison, which is known for its harsh conditions and is used to house those convicted of terrorism.
Human Rights Watch has raised concerns about abuse in El Salvador’s prisons, reporting that inmates face severe shortages of food and medical care.
What’s worth watching now is whether the Trump administration will push for U.S. citizens to serve their prison sentences in foreign prisons like El Salvador. Legal experts argue that sending U.S. citizens to these prisons could violate the 8th Amendment, which bans cruel and unusual punishment. There may also be complications with the First Step Act, a law Trump signed in 2018, which requires that prisoners serve time close to home if possible.
