Demonstrators gathered outside Tesla showrooms across the United States on Saturday, protesting against the company’s billionaire CEO, Elon Musk, and his collaboration with President Donald Trump to slash government spending. The protests, part of a growing movement in North America and Europe, aim to discourage Tesla purchases and challenge Musk’s influence in Washington. Critics argue that Musk is leveraging his position to restructure the federal government through the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has already cut thousands of jobs and shuttered agencies, including the U.S. Agency for International Development.
“We can get back at Elon,” said Nathan Phillips, a 58-year-old ecologist protesting in Boston. “We can impose direct economic damage on Tesla by showing up at showrooms everywhere and boycotting Tesla and telling everyone else to get out, sell your stocks, sell your Teslas.” The protests are expected to continue throughout March, with additional demonstrations planned in England, Spain, and Portugal.
Economic Fallout and Political Ramifications
Tesla’s stock has taken a significant hit since Trump’s re-election, falling by nearly a third, although it remains higher than it was a year ago. Musk, whose wealth is estimated at $359 billion by Forbes, has drawn increasing criticism for using his corporate empire—including Tesla, SpaceX, and the social media platform X—to advance Trump’s agenda. Some investors, however, are betting that Musk and Tesla will financially benefit under the Trump administration.
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“Protests will not deter President Trump and Elon Musk from delivering on the promise to establish DOGE and make our federal government more efficient and more accountable to the hardworking American taxpayers,” said White House spokesperson Harrison Fields. Tesla has yet to respond to requests for comment.
Rising Tensions and Acts of Vandalism
The anti-Musk movement has escalated beyond protests, with reports of Tesla vehicles being vandalized, including swastikas spray-painted on cars. Jewish advocacy groups have expressed concern over what they see as a troubling rise in antisemitism amid the backlash. Federal prosecutors have charged a woman in Colorado for attacking a Tesla dealership with Molotov cocktails and spray-painting “Nazi cars” on the building.
Saturday’s Boston protest, however, maintained a more festive tone, with a brass band playing music as demonstrators held signs mocking Musk and DOGE. One sign read, “Stop Elon and his despicable Muskrats.” In New York City, about 300 protesters gathered outside a Tesla dealership, leading to nine arrests. Police have not disclosed details about the charges.
The Road Ahead for Musk and Tesla
Musk’s deepening ties to Trump and his push for government downsizing are fueling political divisions, with Democrats hoping to turn public frustration into electoral momentum. Many see the protests as a way to pressure Musk financially while energizing opposition to Trump’s policies. “This government led by Trump and Musk, it’s gone completely off the rails, and we are here to stop that,” said Carina Campobasso, a retired federal worker. “And I hope they listen.”
With more demonstrations planned across the U.S. and abroad, the controversy surrounding Musk and his role in government restructuring shows no signs of fading. Whether the boycott movement significantly impacts Tesla’s bottom line remains to be seen, but for now, the backlash against Musk is growing louder.