On Saturday, March 29, 2025, a widespread series of demonstrations known as the “Tesla Takedown” unfolded across the United States and in various locations around the globe 1. These protests, part of a self-proclaimed “Global Day of Action,” were primarily aimed at Tesla’s Chief Executive Officer, Elon Musk 1. The driving force behind these demonstrations appears to be public disapproval of Musk’s role as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) within the Trump administration 5. This timing, coinciding with the Trump administration, suggests a direct connection between the protests and the prevailing political landscape 4.
News reports indicate a significant turnout for the “Tesla Takedown” events. CNN reported that over 200 such protests occurred throughout the United States 1. Other sources used terms like “hundreds” to describe the scale of the demonstrations in the US 9, with one report mentioning a goal of 277 protests specifically targeting Tesla’s showrooms and service centers nationwide 5. The movement extended beyond the borders of the United States, with demonstrations taking place in cities such as Glasgow, Edinburgh, and London in the United Kingdom 4. There were also indications of protests in Canada and other parts of Europe 4, and even as far as Australia and New Zealand 13. Organizers of the “Tesla Takedown” claimed that protests were held in at least 253 cities across the world 9, while another source mentioned an initial aim of reaching 500 locations globally 7. The varying figures in the reported number of protests could reflect the difference between the organizers’ aspirations and the actual number of events that materialized, or it might simply be due to the different scopes of reporting by various news outlets.
The primary impetus behind the “Tesla Takedown” protests appears to be a strong opposition to Elon Musk’s involvement with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under President Trump 4. A central concern for protesters is the substantial reductions in federal government staffing and budgets that Musk has been implementing through his role at DOGE 4. These cuts have sparked fears about the potential erosion of essential public services, with specific concerns raised regarding areas such as healthcare research, citing reported funding slashes at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) 14, the future of social security 7, and reductions in foreign aid, particularly to the US Agency for International Development (USAID) 4. Some participants in the protests also voiced the opinion that Musk’s actions in directing these budgetary changes overstep the authority of Congress and could lead to conflicts of interest given his extensive business holdings 4. A key tactic of the “Tesla Takedown” movement is to exert economic pressure on Musk by urging the public to boycott Tesla’s products, sell their Tesla vehicles, and divest from Tesla stock in an effort to decrease the company’s stock value 4. Beyond these specific grievances, some protesters expressed broader anxieties about the state of democracy and the increasing influence of wealthy individuals within the government 5. The protests, therefore, appear to be driven by a confluence of opposition to specific government policies enacted under the Trump administration with Musk’s leadership, and a more general concern about the role and impact of powerful figures from the private sector in public service.
The core of the protesters’ discontent centers on Elon Musk’s leadership of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and the subsequent cuts to federal jobs and programs 4. The potential for conflicts of interest arising from Musk’s significant business ventures while simultaneously holding a high-ranking government position also stands out as a major point of contention 4. Additionally, some reports suggest that protesters are critical of Musk for allegedly misrepresenting information to the public regarding federal spending 14. Beyond policy and potential conflicts, Musk’s personal conduct has also drawn criticism. References were made to a controversial gesture he reportedly made at President Trump’s second inauguration, which some interpreted as a Nazi salute. This has led to comparisons and protest slogans such as “Don’t buy Nazi cars” 5. Furthermore, Musk’s public criticism of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, labeling him a “huge jerk” after Walz made light of Tesla’s declining stock value, illustrates Musk’s sensitivity to public scrutiny and the interconnectedness of his public persona with the performance of his company 3. These grievances indicate that the opposition to Musk extends beyond his governmental role to encompass his broader influence and actions in the public sphere.
The “Tesla Takedown” protests primarily took the form of peaceful demonstrations held outside Tesla showrooms and service centers 4. Participants were seen holding signs bearing various slogans, including “honk if you hate Elon,” “Tesla funds fascism,” “Don’t buy Nazi cars,” and “Fight the billionaire broligarchy” 5. Chants such as “Hey, hey, ho, ho, Elon Musk has got to go!” were also reported at some locations 5. Demonstrations were reported in a wide array of cities across the US and internationally, including Glasgow 18, Boston, New York City, Tucson, St. Louis, Dayton, Charlotte, Palo Alto 4, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maryland, Minnesota, Texas, Washington, Chicago, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Seattle, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Colorado 5, Jacksonville 6, League City (in the Houston area) 7, Shamberg 8, West Los Angeles, Austin 9, Moraine (near Dayton) 10, Santa Clara, San Francisco 11, Kitsilano (Vancouver) 15, and London (specifically in Park Royal) 17. A recurring theme in the protests was the call for Tesla owners to sell their vehicles and for investors to divest their Tesla stock 4. The sheer number and geographical spread of these protests underscore the breadth of the opposition to Musk’s actions.
While the majority of the reported “Tesla Takedown” events appear to have been peaceful, some instances of counter-protests and more disruptive incidents were noted. Smaller groups of individuals who supported Musk were present at some protest locations 5. In New York City, tensions reportedly escalated, leading to the arrest of nine individuals 4. Furthermore, there have been reports of vandalism targeting Tesla dealerships and vehicles. In Colorado, for example, Molotov cocktails were allegedly thrown at vehicles, and the words “Nazi cars” were spray-painted on a building 4. Some Tesla owners have also reported acts of vandalism against their personal vehicles, including the appearance of spray-painted swastikas 4. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has issued a warning regarding these incidents, with some being described as potential acts of “domestic terrorism” 4. Organizers associated with the “Tesla Takedown” movement have consistently emphasized that their protests are intended to be peaceful and have publicly stated their opposition to violence and the destruction of property 5. The occurrence of vandalism, despite the organizers’ disavowal, suggests a complex situation where the movement may attract individuals with varying agendas or where external actors might be involved.
Elon Musk has responded to the “Tesla Takedown” protests and related incidents in various ways. Reports indicate that prior to the protests, Musk made what some interpreted as threats directed at his critics 3. He also engaged in a public spat with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, whom he called a “huge jerk” for comments made about Tesla’s stock performance 3. Regarding the acts of vandalism, Musk reportedly stated in a company meeting that he was “dumbfounded” and urged those responsible to “stop acting psycho” 5. He also specifically accused a protest organizer in Seattle of “committing crimes,” although he did not provide any evidence to support this claim 9. Furthermore, Musk has suggested that the individuals participating in the protests are being influenced by “propaganda from the far left” 10. Musk’s reactions to the protests and the associated vandalism appear to range from dismissive and critical to accusatory, potentially exacerbating the existing tensions between himself and those who oppose his actions.
The “Tesla Takedown” movement has articulated several goals, including hindering Elon Musk’s influence within the government, negatively impacting Tesla’s public image, and potentially driving down the company’s stock price 4. A website bearing the name ‘Tesla Takedown’ reportedly served as a platform for listing and coordinating various protest events 4. Organizers of the movement have stated that their actions are fueled by anger over Musk’s role in reducing the size and scope of the federal government 6. Individuals like Joel Lava, who has been involved in organizing protests in Los Angeles, have cited Musk’s DOGE initiatives as the primary motivation for their participation 9. Kathy Jones was identified as an organizer of the protest that took place in Dayton 10. In materials circulated by the movement, such as on the Action Network platform, organizers asserted that “Elon Musk is destroying our democracy, and he’s using the fortune he built at Tesla to do it” 13. Another organizer, Alice Hu, has reported facing online harassment and threats in connection with her involvement 19. The “Tesla Takedown” movement appears to be a largely decentralized effort, bringing together a variety of grassroots organizations and individuals who share a common concern about Elon Musk’s role in government and its perceived consequences.
In conclusion, the “Tesla Takedown” protests that took place on March 29, 2025, represent a significant public expression of opposition to Elon Musk’s involvement in the United States government under President Trump 1. The movement is driven by concerns regarding substantial cuts to government spending and staffing, the potential ramifications of these cuts on public services, and the broader implications of influential figures from the technology sector holding significant roles in political administration 4. The protests have elicited strong reactions from Elon Musk and have been accompanied by isolated incidents of vandalism, adding layers of complexity to the unfolding situation 3. The “Tesla Takedown” movement highlights an ongoing societal discussion about the appropriate role of technology leaders in the political sphere and the potential effects of their actions on the functioning of government and the lives of citizens.
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