Amid a wave of protests targeting Tesla and its CEO, Elon Musk, a local insurance agency near Fircrest has come under attack due to its association with the Cybertruck. Last month, Vanessa Voss, owner of the Voss Insurance Group, received a threatening phone call from an unidentified caller who accused her of being a Nazi and issued death threats related to her ownership of a Cybertruck. Despite hanging up, Voss reported receiving a total of 12 calls that day, with three from the same individual.
Voss’s agency, which specializes in Medicare and retirement planning, has been operational for about five years. At the end of the previous year, she purchased a Cybertruck as a business tax write-off and wrapped it in an advertisement for her agency. The vehicle prominently displays the company’s contact information, logo, Voss’s image, and keywords related to Medicare.
Despite having no affiliation with government entities, Voss and her staff have faced increasing harassment, including threatening messages and voicemails. Additionally, false negative reviews have been posted online, and a Reddit thread featured an image of the Cybertruck outside Voss’s residence, with comments inciting violence against the vehicle.
The situation escalated recently when a caller harassed Voss’s office manager, issuing veiled threats related to the Cybertruck. Voss has filed a police report regarding the harassment and is considering engaging a self-defense company to ensure her team’s safety.
This backlash against Voss mirrors wider protests against Elon Musk, who, in his capacity within the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency, advocates for significant reductions in federal spending. Although the administration assured that programs like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid would not be cut, Musk’s policies have sparked global demonstrations and boycotts of Tesla. This includes the “Tesla Takedown” initiative, with incidents of vandalism reported at Tesla properties and vehicle locations nationwide.
In Washington State, a Tesla charging station in Lacey was vandalized, prompting an FBI investigation. The U.S. Department of Justice has labeled such actions as domestic terrorism, as stated by Attorney General Pamela Bondi.
Voss expressed confusion over allegations linking her agency to Musk and the Trump administration’s policies. Her livelihood depends on assisting clients with Medicare, and she emphasized that she would be adversely affected by the elimination of government programs like Medicare and Social Security.
The Broader Impact
The harassment faced by Voss and her insurance agency highlights the broader societal implications of the current political and economic climate. In communities like Fircrest, businesses may find themselves inadvertently caught in the crossfire of larger ideological battles, leading to unexpected challenges and threats. This situation underscores the potential for misinformation to impact local enterprises and their stakeholders, emphasizing the need for clear communication and community support.
For consumers and residents, these incidents serve as a reminder of the complexities surrounding public policy and its ripple effects on everyday life. In an era of heightened political tensions, individuals and businesses alike must navigate an increasingly polarized landscape, where even indirect associations with high-profile figures can attract unwarranted attention and danger. This scenario advocates for vigilance, solidarity, and informed dialogue to foster a safer and more understanding community environment.