Crowds gathered outside Tesla stores across the US and Europe to protest Elon Musk’s actions under US President Donald Trump. The demonstrations aimed to hurt Tesla’s sales by targeting dealerships and vehicles.

Growing Opposition to Musk’s Government Role

Musk leads the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). He has shut down entire agencies to cut government spending. Consequently, critics worry about his access to sensitive data. Since most of his $340 billion fortune comes from Tesla shares, protesters hope to impact his wealth.

Nationwide Protests Gain Momentum

Earlier protests were scattered, but this time, activists attempted to surround all 277 Tesla locations in the U.S. By midday, protesters had gathered in multiple states, including New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Texas. Signs read, “Honk if you hate Elon” and “Fight the billionaire broligarchy.” As the day went on, protests spread to major cities like Washington, Chicago, and Seattle. In Dublin, California, demonstrators chanted, “Hey, hey, ho, ho, Elon Musk has got to go!” Meanwhile, Trump supporters waved flags across the street. A larger group in Berkeley protested with drumbeats. “We’re living in a fascist state,” said Dennis Fagaly, a retired teacher from Oakland. “We need to stop this or we’ll lose everything good about the U.S.”

Global Protests Echo Anti-Musk Sentiments

The “Tesla Takedown” movement also organized demonstrations at 230 locations worldwide. Although smaller in Europe, the protests shared the same message. In London, about two dozen people held signs, and passing vehicles honked in support. One sign compared Musk to Adolf Hitler. Another, held by a protester in a dinosaur costume, read, “You thought the Nazis were extinct. Don’t buy a Swasticar.” “We want to get loud, make noise, and make people aware,” said Cam Whitten, an American at the London protest.

Political and Celebrity Support

The movement gained support from Tesla owners, celebrities like John Cusack, and Democratic lawmakers. Representative Jasmine Crockett from Dallas urged activists to continue. “I’m going to keep screaming in Congress. You all keep screaming in the streets,” she said. Representative Pramila Jayapal also attended a Seattle protest, showing political backing for the movement.

Acts of Vandalism Raise Concerns

Some opponents have taken extreme measures. Incidents of Tesla cars being set on fire and vandalized have surfaced. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi condemned these acts as domestic terrorism. Meanwhile, a fire in Germany destroyed seven Teslas. Authorities are investigating whether it was linked to the protests. In Massachusetts, a black pickup truck hit two protesters outside a Tesla service center. Police identified the driver, but there were no serious injuries.

Musk Remains Confident in Tesla’s Future

Despite the backlash, Musk remains optimistic. Many early Tesla buyers now try to sell their cars or add bumper stickers distancing themselves from him. However, Musk dismissed concerns at a recent company meeting. “There are rocky moments, but the future is bright and exciting,” he said. He predicted that Tesla’s Model Y would again be the world’s best-selling car and expected Tesla to sell over 10 million cars by next year, up from 7 million now.

Investor Confidence Wavers

Initially, investors viewed Musk’s ties to Trump as beneficial for Tesla. After the election, Tesla’s stock surged 70%, adding $560 billion in shareholder wealth. However, those gains have vanished due to falling sales and Musk’s involvement in DOGE. “This is a moment of truth for Musk,” said analyst Dan Ives. “He must navigate this crisis and bring Tesla through this dark chapter.”