ASHLAND CITY, Tenn. — A man from Tennessee faces terrorism-related charges after allegedly threatening to set fire to an xAI facility, expressing anger towards its founder, Elon Musk, as well as former President Donald Trump, law enforcement officials have reported.
Identified as Ethan Paul Early, 25, from Ashland City, the suspect was apprehended and charged on February 20, following a conversation with a police officer during which he mentioned his intent, according to official documents. Court records document that Early was detained with a set bail of $500,000. Efforts to reach Early’s legal representative for comments on Wednesday were unsuccessful.
An Ashland City police officer, from an area northwest of Nashville, received a tip from Early’s acquaintance, expressing alarm after Early voiced his plan to destroy one of Musk’s data centers out of frustration with Musk and Trump, the affidavit elaborates.
The informant revealed that Early had considered using thermite and had begun obtaining the necessary components to create the incendiary material known for its capacity to generate extreme heat.
Consequently, the officer proceeded to Early’s residence, inquiring about his intentions concerning the potential target, as per the affidavit. Early informed the officer about an “AI factory” Musk purportedly had in Memphis. It should be noted that Musk’s AI enterprise, xAI, operates a massive computing center in Memphis, situated roughly 200 miles (321 kilometers) from Ashland City.
Early assured the officer he had since abandoned the idea, crediting good friends who dissuaded him from this course of action, the affidavit states.
“The Defendant admitted that he had gotten too wrapped up in politics and had went ‘too far down the deep end,’” the report further notes.
Expressing remorse, Early admitted feeling compelled to act yet regretted allowing himself to become so consumed, as detailed in the affidavit.
The statement does not clarify the specifics of Early’s grievances, although it does mention he disposed of the materials he had gathered.
Under the administration of Donald Trump, Musk, via the Department of Government Efficiency, embarked on reducing the federal government’s scope, leading to job cuts among government employees.
