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.
“We will continue this Operation until Elon Musk’s death,” Carl Payne, 58, allegedly wrote in one of his “threatening” emails, according to the affidavit filed in his federal criminal case.
“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.
“We have declared war on the 47th Presidential Cabinet of the United States of America and are sharing details of Our first Operation,” Payne wrote in a March 20 email, according to federal prosecutors. “Specifically, We are responsible for the newsworthy killings that commence Thursday, 17 April 2025. The enclosed information is For Immediate Release and will help validate evidence shown in the coming social media campaign.”
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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.
One of the emails that Carl Payne allegedly sent out (Justice Department).
Payne allegedly specified how the “newsworthy killings” would be carried out and what type of weapons would be used (Justice Department).
Under a separate section titled “Advice,” Payne allegedly wrote the following: “Municipalities with high Swasticar density should prepare an adequate HAZMAT response plan. Ideally, prepare for simultaneous electric vehicle fires, containment of toxic smoke, and executing a downwind-evacuation.”
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.
A review of IP address information, along with “other information” compiled by the FBI, ultimately led authorities to Payne’s doorstep and linked him to the emails in question, according to prosecutors.
Payne is due to appear in Denver federal court on Tuesday, April 22.
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