In a dramatic escalation of public outrage, thousands of protesters gathered outside Tesla dealerships across the United States and Europe on Saturday, decrying Elon Musk’s role in President Donald Trump’s administration. The demonstrations, part of a growing “Tesla Takedown” movement, marked the largest coordinated effort yet to undermine the billionaire’s wealth by targeting his electric vehicle empire.
The protests stem from Musk’s position as the head of the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), where he has been aggressively slashing government spending by closing entire agencies. Critics argue that Musk’s reforms, while championed by Trump supporters, have compromised government transparency and efficiency, sparking accusations of authoritarianism.
Mass Protests Sweep U.S. and Europe
By early afternoon on Saturday, demonstrators had amassed outside all 277 Tesla showrooms and service centers across the U.S., with parallel protests unfolding in major European cities. From New Jersey and New York to Texas and California, protesters brandished signs reading, “Honk if you hate Elon” and “Fight the billionaire broligarchy.”
In Berkeley, California, a large crowd circled a Tesla showroom, chanting slogans to the beat of drums. “We’re living in a fascist state,” said Dennis Fagaly, a retired high school teacher from Oakland. “If we don’t stop this, we’ll lose everything good about the United States.”
Meanwhile, in London, around two dozen people gathered outside a Tesla dealership, holding placards depicting Musk next to Adolf Hitler, a reference to Musk’s controversial straight-arm gesture, which critics have likened to a Nazi salute. A protester in a dinosaur costume waved a sign that read, “You thought the Nazis were extinct. Don’t buy a Swasticar.”
Rising Tensions and Violence
Despite organizers’ calls for peaceful protests, some incidents of violence and vandalism were reported. In Germany, a fire destroyed seven Tesla vehicles at a dealership early Saturday morning, although authorities have not confirmed whether the incident was linked to the protests.
In Watertown, Massachusetts, two demonstrators were struck by the side mirror of a black pickup truck while protesting outside a Tesla service center. Police quickly identified the suspect, and the injured individuals were treated for minor injuries.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi condemned acts of vandalism against Tesla, calling them “domestic terrorism.” However, Tesla Takedown organizers insisted their goal was peaceful protest, not violence. Democratic lawmakers, including Rep. Jasmine Crockett from Texas and Rep. Pramila Jaypal from Washington, joined the demonstrators, further amplifying the movement’s visibility.
Backlash Hits Tesla Sales
The anti-Musk sentiment is already affecting Tesla’s business. A growing number of disillusioned Tesla owners, who purchased vehicles before Musk’s DOGE appointment, are now seeking to sell or trade them in. Others have added bumper stickers disassociating themselves from Musk’s politics.
Despite the backlash, Musk remained defiant. During a company meeting in March, he dismissed the protests, calling the vandals “psychos” and urging them to “stop acting insane.”
Still, the controversy is weighing on Tesla’s stock price. Following Musk’s alignment with Trump, Tesla shares initially surged by 70%, adding $560 billion in shareholder wealth. However, as consumer backlash intensifies and sales decline in the U.S., Europe, and China, those gains have evaporated.
Tesla’s Future: Storm or Sunshine?
While protests continue to disrupt Tesla’s public image, Musk remains optimistic about the company’s growth. During the March meeting, he assured employees that Tesla’s Model Y would “remain the best-selling car on Earth this year” and predicted the company would sell over 10 million vehicles globally by 2026, up from the current 7 million.
“There are rocky moments, but the future is incredibly bright,” Musk declared, attempting to rally employee morale.
However, financial analysts remain skeptical. Dan Ives, a tech analyst at Wedbush Securities, described the situation as a “brand tornado crisis” for Musk. He warned that if Tesla cannot weather the current backlash, it risks losing its dominance in the electric vehicle market.
The Road Ahead
As the protests gain momentum, Tesla faces mounting pressure from both consumers and investors. The Tesla Takedown movement shows no signs of slowing, with activists vowing to continue targeting the automaker until Musk steps down from his government role.
Whether Tesla can withstand this storm or see its brand further tarnished remains to be seen. For now, Musk’s defiance and the movement’s growing strength are setting the stage for a prolonged and highly public battle that could reshape Tesla’s future.
