The protests against Tesla are increasing in number and intensity.
The weekend was not easy for Elon.
This weekend, protests intensified at Tesla showrooms across the country. Hundreds of people gathered to boycott Elon Musk and his involvement in the Trump administration as the leader of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). This entity oversees a disruptive effort aimed at laying off thousands of federal workers with the goal of reducing government spending. Most of these demonstrations are linked to the Tesla Takedown movement, which emerged in February and encourages supporters to “sell their Teslas, get rid of their stocks, join the picket lines” in order to “stop Musk.” However, the momentum of these protests has notably increased in the past week, resulting in larger gatherings and some arrests.
Although most of these events have been peaceful, incidents of vandalism and arson against Tesla have been reported. Last week, Tesla charging stations in Boston were set on fire, and several vehicles were burned at a dealership in France. At a Tesla showroom in Oregon, gunfire broke windows and damaged cars. A man from Boston was arrested for placing stickers of Musk making a Nazi-like salute on Tesla vehicles. In Colorado, authorities detained a woman accused of throwing Molotov cocktails at parked Tesla cars at a dealership and allegedly spray-painting an obscenity at the entrance.
In Manhattan, over 350 protesters gathered outside a Tesla showroom in the West Village neighborhood on Saturday, chanting slogans like “Nobody voted for Elon Musk” and “Oligarchs out, democracy in.” One attendee held a sign that read “Send Musk to Mars now!” This protest coincided with the International Women’s Day march, which boosted attendance. There was a heavy police presence in the area, with five arrests for disorderly conduct and one for resisting arrest. This followed the arrest of nine people during a previous protest in Manhattan.
Boston also witnessed demonstrations, where around 300 attendees gathered outside a Tesla showroom on Boylston Street. The organizers, while condemning property damage, expressed that if Musk attacks basic rights, he should not be surprised if some choose to be more direct. No arrests were made during this event.
In Chicago, hundreds of protesters gathered outside the Tesla showroom in Streeterville, supported by participants from the Women’s Day march. They carried banners with messages like “Throw Musk to Mars” and “Democracy dies with DOGE.” Some clashes occurred at another Tesla showroom in Orland Park, where protesters clashed with MAGA supporters, but there were no arrests.
In Delray Beach, Florida, dozens of participants from the Tesla Takedown movement were also observed, holding signs with slogans like “Fight fascism” and “Nobody voted for Elon Musk!” One protester expressed frustration, stating that since Trump’s arrival, attention has shifted toward Musk.
In Pasadena, California, hundreds of people gathered at a Tesla dealership, where Representative Judy Chu criticized both Musk and the DOGE initiative. This was the second consecutive week of protests at that location.
The protest movements are not limited to the United States; in Lisbon, Portugal, a group of protesters gathered outside a Tesla dealership to express their rejection and concerns about Musk's influence in European politics, highlighting that his wealth could enable him to gain power in the future.
Since the start of these demonstrations, Tesla’s sales have decreased, marking its first year-over-year drop. Some owners have opted to get rid of their vehicles to avoid uncomfortable situations. In response, Musk accused figures like George Soros of funding these protests through a fundraising platform, although it does not directly fund groups.
