Crowds gathered outside Tesla dealerships across the U.S. and in some European cities on Saturday to protest against Elon Musk. These protests were part of a larger movement aimed at pushing back against Musk’s influence in the U.S. government under President Donald Trump. The protesters expressed their frustration over Musk’s recent actions, including his role as head of the new Department of Government Efficiency, where he has access to sensitive government data and has closed entire agencies to cut spending.
This was the first time that activists attempted to surround all 277 Tesla locations in the U.S. The goal was to raise awareness and impact Tesla’s sales, which have recently seen a decline. Protesters showed up in states like New Jersey, Massachusetts, New York, Texas, and more, holding signs that read “Honk if you hate Elon” and “Fight the billionaire broligarchy.”
The Tesla Takedown movement also aimed to rally support at over 230 Tesla locations worldwide. While attendance in Europe was less significant than in the U.S., the sentiments were similar. In London, about two dozen protesters gathered, and some passing cars honked in support. Some signs at the London protest controversially compared Musk to Adolf Hitler, while others featured humorous imagery.
Cam Whitten, a protester in London, shared, “We just want to get loud, make noise, make people aware of the problems that we’re facing.” The movement included disillusioned Tesla owners, celebrities like actor John Cusack, and even some politicians, such as Rep. Jasmine Crockett from Dallas. Crockett encouraged the crowd to keep their protests peaceful while emphasizing the need for continued activism.
Amid the protests, there were reports of vandalism, including the arson of seven Tesla vehicles in Germany, although it was unclear if this was related to the protests. Musk, who has faced criticism for his actions, appeared unfazed by the protests and reassured employees that Tesla’s Model Y would continue to be the best-selling car globally.
As Musk’s relationship with the government and his business decisions have come under scrutiny, many Tesla owners are looking to sell or trade their vehicles. Some have even put bumper stickers on their cars to distance themselves from Musk’s actions. Despite the challenges, Musk remains optimistic about Tesla’s future, claiming the company will sell over 10 million cars worldwide by next year.
The protests reflect a growing discontent among consumers and activists regarding the influence of billionaires like Musk in politics and business. As the situation evolves, it remains to be seen how this backlash will affect Tesla’s sales and Musk’s standing in the public eye.