Carl Howard Payne Jr., a 58-year-old resident of Colorado Springs, Colorado, faces federal charges for allegedly issuing death threats against President Donald Trump, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, and Tesla owners nationwide.
Authorities accuse Payne of sending emails titled “Declaration of War,” which outlined intentions to harm Musk, Trump, and others, targeting government figures and the general public. These communications were reportedly sent to media outlets beginning in March 2025.
According to federal prosecutors, Payne allegedly stated in a March 20 email, “We have declared war on the 47th Presidential Cabinet of the United States of America and are sharing details of Our first Operation.”
Prosecutors assert that Payne’s threats were distributed through both email and postal mail, with his messages claiming responsibility for future attacks. As per court records, one email included the statement, “We will continue this Operation until Elon Musk’s death,” further declaring that Musk “is no longer welcome to be alive.” Investigators linked the emails to Payne through IP address data and other collected evidence, tracing them back to a Proton Mail account.
The emails were dispatched to various media organizations, including the New York offices of ProPublica, Thomson Reuters, and other outlets across multiple states. Thomson Reuters, headquartered in Toronto, Canada, is a global media and information firm serving sectors such as legal, financial, tax, accounting, and media, known for its Reuters News division.
The threats described potential attacks occurring “at their homes, on the road, while shopping, or at Nazi charging stations,” a disparaging term Payne allegedly used for Tesla charging stations. His writings also mentioned firearms and guitar strings as weapons and referenced past violent figures like Timothy McVeigh, the Oklahoma City bomber.
Authorities report that Payne was organizing a broader initiative named “Operation: Swasticar,” targeting Tesla owners and Musk. In an “Advice” section, he purportedly cautioned municipalities with high Tesla concentrations to prepare for electric vehicle fires and toxic smoke, advising the use of HAZMAT teams. The emails suggested Payne believed media organizations had failed to hold government officials accountable, which he cited as justification for his planned violence. He referenced a recent case involving Luigi Mangione, accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, to rationalize his threats against public figures.
Federal agents apprehended Payne by tracking his online activities. His internet history included searches related to Timothy McVeigh and weapons information. During a search of Payne’s home, authorities discovered three firearms, including a .40-caliber Smith & Wesson pistol matching details from his emails.
Besides the emails, Payne is accused of attempting to send similar threats via postal mail to insurance firms, falsely listing the return address as “The White House,” though the letters were postmarked from Denver, Colorado. Investigators connected these physical letters to him using postal data and surveillance.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado has charged Payne with interstate communication of threats, a felony that carries a potential sentence of up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and supervised release. Payne, who previously worked in technology management, has a minor criminal history, limited to a past citation for an expired vehicle registration. He denied sending the threatening communications when questioned by the FBI.
Payne appeared in federal court in Denver, Colorado, on April 22 for a detention hearing. The case is being managed by the FBI’s Denver Field Office and remains under investigation.
Documents reveal that Payne’s threats were timed with April 17, 2025, which he marked as the start of his planned actions. Federal prosecutors included this timeline in the charges, highlighting his reference to “newsworthy killings” beginning on that date.
Officials are also examining Payne’s connections to various online communities and digital platforms where similar rhetoric might have been shared. There is currently no evidence of other individuals being involved, and Payne is suspected to have acted alone.
