As tensions rise in the United States, crowds gathered at Tesla dealerships on Saturday to protest billionaire Elon Musk’s controversial leadership of the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under President Trump. This movement, dubbed the “Tesla Takedown,” seeks to challenge Musk’s influence and dent his substantial fortune, largely tied to his electric vehicle empire.
The protests, which aimed to encircle all 277 Tesla locations in the U.S., marked a significant escalation in a movement that has been gaining traction over the past few months. Demonstrators rallied against Musk’s access to sensitive government data and his controversial decisions to shutter entire agencies in pursuit of slashing government spending.
By early afternoon, protestors ranging from a few dozen to hundreds had gathered outside Tesla showrooms in states like New Jersey, Texas, and Massachusetts. Signs reading “Honk if you hate Elon” and “Fight the billionaire broligarchy” filled the air as demonstrators voiced their discontent. The protests spread to major cities like Washington, Chicago, and Seattle, where chants of “Hey, hey, ho, ho, Elon Musk has got to go!” echoed outside showrooms.
In California, a retired teacher, Dennis Fagaly, expressed the gravity of the situation: “We’re living in a fascist state,” he warned. “We need to stop this or we’ll lose everything that is good about the United States.”
The anti-Musk sentiment isn’t confined to the U.S. The Tesla Takedown movement also aimed to mobilize protests in over 230 locations worldwide. In London, a small group held signs criticizing Musk, drawing supportive honks from passing cars. One striking sign juxtaposed Musk’s image with that of Adolf Hitler, reflecting the deep frustrations many feel towards his recent actions.
The movement garnered support from various figures, including disillusioned Tesla owners and celebrities like actor John Cusack, as well as Democratic lawmakers such as Rep. Jasmine Crockett and Rep. Pramila Jaypal, the latter of whom joined the Seattle protests. Crockett urged participants to amplify their voices both in the streets and in Congress.
However, the backlash against Musk has escalated to vandalism, with some Tesla vehicles being set on fire. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi condemned these actions as domestic terrorism. While Musk acknowledged the vandalism at a company meeting, stressing the need for a peaceful protest, incidents reported in Massachusetts and Germany raised concerns about safety during the demonstrations.
Despite the unrest, Musk appears unfazed by the decline in Tesla sales, expressing confidence in the company’s future. He reassured employees that the Model Y would continue to be the best-selling car globally and projected ambitious sales targets for the coming year.
Initially, Musk’s alliance with Trump was viewed positively by investors, contributing to a substantial increase in Tesla’s stock. However, concerns over the backlash and lagging sales have since diminished much of that optimism. As analysts suggest, this period represents a crucial moment for Musk to navigate through the challenges facing Tesla and its brand.
As the protests continue, the tension between supporters and opponents of Musk’s vision for both Tesla and government efficiency shows no signs of abating, leaving the future of the company hanging in a delicate balance.
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