Demonstrations erupted at Tesla dealerships across the United States and beyond, as part of the “Tesla Takedown” movement, which opposes Elon Musk’s involvement with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under President Donald Trump. The protests, which took place on Saturday, aimed to impact Tesla’s sales and drew significant crowds in major cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York City.
In Los Angeles, over 100 protesters gathered outside a Tesla service center, voicing concerns about Musk’s influence on government spending and his perceived threat to democracy. Phil Ansell, a participant in the Los Angeles rally, expressed his motivation by saying, “I want to do everything possible to protect democracy in this country” as reported by NPR.
The movement, which organizers describe as a “global day of action,” extended to over 230 locations worldwide, including Europe. Protesters encouraged people to boycott Tesla by selling their cars and stocks. In Chicago, a crowd of more than 150 people blocked sidewalks and chanted outside a Tesla showroom, while in Dallas, demonstrators held banners reading “Store closing. Everything must go!” according to NBC News.
Despite the widespread protests, Tesla CEO Elon Musk remains optimistic about the company’s future, predicting that Tesla will sell over 10 million cars worldwide by next year. However, the backlash has led to a slump in Tesla’s stock, which had previously surged 70% post-election but has since lost those gains as reported by Yahoo News.
While some protests have been peaceful, there have been instances of violence and vandalism targeting Tesla vehicles and showrooms. Tesla Takedown organizers emphasize their commitment to nonviolent protest and oppose any property destruction.
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