President-elect Donald Trump listens to Elon Musk as he arrives to watch SpaceX’s mega rocket Starship lift off for a test flight from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas, Nov. 19, 2024 (Brandon Bell/Pool via AP, File).
A Colorado man is facing federal charges for sending “Declaration Of War” emails to media outlets across the country that included death threats against President Donald Trump, Elon Musk and Tesla owners, along with descriptions on how they would be killed — saying, “Terminations will take place at their homes, on the road, while shopping, or at Nazi charging stations,” according to prosecutors.
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“He is no longer welcome to be alive,” Payne allegedly said.
The Colorado Springs man is accused of sending his murder messages to the New York offices of ProPublica and Thomson Reuters, along with other media organizations in Colorado and elsewhere, starting on or around March 20.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado has charged Payne with interstate communication of threats, with his federal affidavit detailing what he allegedly said about Trump, Musk and Tesla owners in his various emails. Payne’s internet history, which included alleged searches for information on the Oklahoma City bomber, Timothy McVeigh, is also mentioned.
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Citing Luigi Mangione, the Maryland Ivy Leaguer who allegedly murdered UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last year in New York City, Payne explained that the planned murder missions were going to be carried out due to the media’s lack of “direct, pointed, specific questions of the Cabinet,” according to prosecutors. He allegedly wrote that the media instead chooses to “accept the morsels they’re given for a chance to be close to the action,” per the affidavit.
“We will get you closer,” Payne allegedly said, noting how various weapons and items would be used, including guns and guitar strings.
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The term “swasticar” is shorthand for Tesla cars among those pushing for a boycott of Musk and his electric vehicle company.
In addition to his emails, Payne is also accused of trying to send “similar threatening letters for delivery by the Postal Service” to a number of insurance companies across the country, which had return addresses on them — saying they were from “The White House,” despite being postmarked as from Denver.
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Payne is due to appear in Denver federal court on Tuesday, April 22.
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