Protesters Rebelling Against Elon Musk's Purge of U.S. Government Swarm Tesla Showrooms

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Time/AP

Updated: Mar 29, 2025 3:41 PM ET Mar 29, 2025 2:38 PM ET


SAN FRANCISCO — Crowds protesting billionaire Elon Musk’s purge of the U.S. government under President Donald Trump began amassing outside Tesla dealerships throughout the U.S. and in some cities in Europe on Saturday in the latest attempt to dent the fortune of the world’s richest man.

The protesters are trying to escalate a movement targeting Tesla dealerships and vehicles in opposition to Musk’s role as the head of the newly created Department of of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, where he’s gained access to sensitive data and shuttered entire agencies as he attempts to slash government spending. Most of Musk’s estimated $340 billion fortune consists of the stock he holds in the electric vehicle company that he continues to run while also working alongside Trump.

Earlier protests have been somewhat sporadic. Saturday marked the first attempt to surround all 277 of the automaker’s showrooms and service centers in the U.S. in hopes of deepening a recent decline in the company’s sales. By early afternoon, crowds ranging from a few dozen to hundreds of protesters had flocked to Tesla locations in New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Maryland, Minnesota and the automaker's home state of Texas. Pictures posted on social media accounts showed protesters brandishing signs such as “Honk if you hate Elon” and “Fight the billionaire broligarchy.”

The Tesla Takedown movement also hoped to rally protestors at more than 230 Tesla locations in other parts of the world. Although the turnouts in Europe weren't as large as the crowds in the U.S., the anti-Musk sentiment was similar. About two dozen protesters held signs lambasting Musk outside a Tesla dealership in London as passing cars and trucks tooted horns in support.

Read more: https://time.com/7272841/elon-musk-tesla-showrooms-protests-doge-trump-administration/

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Wow. Heard about this early this morning on my local news radio station and they said this protest had hundreds there (and even along the street) - this is in Cherry Hill, NJ (which is considered part of Philly metro across the river from here in Jersey).

[dhol82]

1. We had a pretty decent turnout in NYC

In the hundreds of protesters with lots of energy.
Someone said that this particular dealership had been closed for three weeks. Not sure if that was a permanent closure or just a protective one during the ongoing protests.

[hlthe2b]

2. He knows he is hated now and that is a psychic injury that being around Trump could make worse...

Such feelings in Trump would trigger yet more sadism. Will it do the same with Musk?

If Tesla doesn't dump him as CEO I honestly do think the company will eventually fail.

[BumRushDaShow]

3. I just had a bizarre thought -

Just like he bought and destroyed Xitter - and then "sold it to himself" (to a different company he owns), I wouldn't be surprised if he does this with Tesla by possibly having his own SpaceX buy it (although that wouldn't necessarily protect the "public-facing" dealerships).

[RainCaster]

14. That won't make his stock any more valuable

It will continue to drop, and may take down SpaceX and StarLink too.

[BumRushDaShow]

16. No but it would "protect" it.

When under stress, these people operate "in the moment", assuming they will "figure something out later" to fix what would be a new bind.

[RainCaster]

17. That's the kinda guy I want rewriting SS code

But only if the money comes out of his bank account when he fucks up.

[mnhtnbb]

4. Hundreds outside Raleigh, NC showroom

yesterday. It was the largest of 6 protests held outside the Tesla dealership.

https://abc11.com/post/hundreds-gather-outside-raleigh-tesla-dealership-protest-elon-musk/16104646/

[pansypoo53219]

5. my mom saw protesters in milw- "our votes are not for sale!" where Felon is trying to buy a judge.

[forgotmylogin]

6. Just tourist groups reviewing their auto-buying options! n/t

[camartinwv]

7. Poor widdle Elon, he cwy and cwy and cwy. He say we all meanies.

Hey Elon, what happened to your big ole chainsaw?

[littlemissmartypants]

12. Seriously...

What kind of idiot paints a bullseye on their own back. Shows that he has a complete lack of understanding of the process & the value of critical thinking, has probably never been held accountable for any bad behavior and doesn't give a damn or know what karma means. Pun intended.

[Deminpenn]

8. The protests in the Pittsburgh area

were covered by reporters for the local newscasts and featured on their 4-7PM local news broadcasts.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

9. Here is an effective form of protest that makes me smile

Link to tweet

[pfitz59]

11. Are the guards on the roof employed by Tesla

Or hired by DHS and the FBI?

[LetMyPeopleVote]

13. The men on the roof are evidently Tesla security

[Zorro]

10. When will Musk use his chainsaw on the Tesla employee headcount?

[h2ebits]

15. "the newly created Department of of Government Efficiency, or DOGE"

There is no such legal entity called "Department of Government Efficiency" It is a figment of the Musk/Trump takeover imagination that has not been approved by Congress--nor funded by Congress who holds the purse.

It is another piece of outrage being perpetrated upon the American people.

[oasis]

19. That's a giant protest. Hatred of Musk is here

To stay.

[blubunyip]

20. TESLA protestors: