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Protesters opposing Elon Musk’s role in the Trump administration flooded Tesla dealerships across the U.S. and parts of Europe on Saturday, escalating a movement aimed at denting the billionaire’s fortune. Demonstrators gathered at nearly all 277 Tesla showrooms and service centers in the U.S., as well as at locations in the U.K., Germany, and France.
The growing backlash stems from Musk’s position as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a newly created agency under President Trump that has led to sweeping government cuts. Critics argue that Musk, already the world’s richest man with a net worth of $340 billion, now wields excessive power, using his position to shut down entire agencies while still running Tesla.
“Honk If You Hate Elon”
Organizers of the “Tesla Takedown” movement, which includes former Tesla owners, celebrities like actor John Cusack, and lawmakers such as Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX), hope to pressure consumers into boycotting Tesla vehicles.
“I’m going to keep screaming in the halls of Congress. I just need you all to keep screaming in the streets,” Crockett said during a recent organizing call.
Protesters held signs with slogans such as “Honk if you hate Elon” and “Fight the billionaire broligarchy.” In London, a sign compared Musk to Adolf Hitler, referencing a controversial straight-arm gesture he made shortly after Trump’s inauguration. A demonstrator in a tyrannosaurus rex costume held another sign that read, “You thought the Nazis were extinct. Don’t buy a Swasticar.”
“We just want to get loud, make noise, make people aware of the problems we’re facing,” said Cam Whitten, an American attending the London protest.
Violence and Vandalism Escalate
While Tesla Takedown leaders have called for peaceful protests, some opponents have taken more extreme measures. Authorities are investigating a fire that destroyed seven Tesla vehicles in northwestern Germany on Saturday morning, though it’s unclear if it was connected to the demonstrations. Similar incidents have occurred in the U.S., including fires at Tesla locations in Nevada and Missouri, and vandalism in Massachusetts and Maryland.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi condemned the attacks, calling them “nothing short of domestic terrorism.” Musk himself addressed the backlash in a March 20 company meeting, saying, “Stop acting psycho.”
Consumers Distancing Themselves from Tesla
The controversy has led some Tesla owners to sell their vehicles or display bumper stickers distancing themselves from Musk.
“My wife cautions me, ‘Be careful where you are at with it,’” Tesla owner Bill Fonte told CBS New York. “If you don’t like the product, don’t buy it. But they’re going above and beyond, creating panic and concern for normal people like me.”
Despite the protests, Musk remains confident in Tesla’s future. Addressing employees on March 20, he predicted that Tesla’s Model Y would remain “the best-selling car on Earth again this year” and projected global Tesla sales to surpass 10 million by next year, up from 7 million today.
Tesla’s Stock Plunge and Investor Anxiety
After Trump’s election last November, investors initially welcomed Musk’s government position, pushing Tesla’s stock up 70% between Election Day and Inauguration Day, adding $560 billion in shareholder wealth. However, the ongoing backlash, declining U.S. sales, and Musk’s focus on DOGE have erased nearly all those gains.
“This continues to be a moment of truth for Musk to navigate this brand tornado crisis and get onto the other side of this dark chapter for Tesla,” said Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives.
As Musk remains defiant and protests intensify, the question remains: Will Tesla withstand the growing political storm?
