Merve Berker
30 March 2025•Update: 31 March 2025
ANKARA
Protesters gathered outside Tesla car dealerships across the US and in parts of Europe to denounce Elon Musk’s continued role in the Trump administration as head of a controversial effort to shrink the government, according to media reports.
The coordinated protests, dubbed “Tesla Takedown,” marked the first attempt to surround all 277 Tesla showrooms and service centers in the US, CBS News reported Saturday.
Demonstrators accused Musk of using his position leading the unofficial Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to access sensitive federal data and dismantle government institutions under the guise of slashing spending.
Musk has bragged of closing government agencies he reportedly has no authority to shutter, firing tens of thousands of employees, and saving billions of dollars – but close examination of his savings claims have found many of them were counted multiple times or were funding canceled before US President Donald Trump took office.
In US cities including New York, Texas, Connecticut, and Maryland on Saturday, protesters held signs such as “Honk if you hate Elon” and “Fight the billionaire broligarchy.”
Smaller rallies took place outside Tesla locations in London and other European cities, where Musk’s championing of extremist politicians – such as Alternative for Deutschland (AfD) – and alleged election interreference have drawn criticism.
“Elon Musk is not just running a company – he’s dismantling public institutions,” said Jasmine Crockett, a member of Trump’s Republican Party, from Dallas during an organizing call. “We need to keep screaming in the streets.”
In New York, state Republican Zohran Mamdani joined protesters, stating: “The richest man in the world has purchased the president of the US.” Musk is Trump’s largest campaign donor.
Uneasy consumers
The backlash follows Musk’s dual role at Tesla and DOGE.
While his net worth, estimated at $340 billion, is largely tied to Tesla, he remains heavily involved in US policymaking, despite a lack of background in government and never having been elected.
Acts of vandalism targeting Tesla vehicles have surged in recent months, and sales of the electric car have suffered in both the US and Europe.
A fire that destroyed seven Teslas in Germany on Saturday is under investigation.
The Department of Homeland Security and FBI have linked similar incidents in at least nine US states to lone actors but warned of escalating threats.
Musk appeared unfazed, telling employees that Tesla’s Model Y would remain “the best-selling car on Earth again this year.”
He projected global Tesla sales would exceed 10 million by next year, up from 7 million.
Still, consumers who are uneasy with Musk’s political role have been trading in their Tesla cars or adding bumper stickers to distancing themselves from the controversial billionaire.
