A growing number of Tesla owners who purchased their vehicles before Elon Musk’s involvement with the US government are now looking to sell or trade them in. Some have even placed bumper stickers on their cars to distance themselves from the billionaire entrepreneur.
Nationwide demonstrations against Tesla
On Saturday, protests took place outside Tesla dealerships across the United States and parts of Europe, as demonstrators voiced their opposition to Musk’s role in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Since assuming leadership of this newly created agency under President Donald Trump, Musk has gained access to sensitive government data and overseen the closure of various agencies in an effort to cut public spending.
With the majority of Musk’s estimated $340 billion fortune tied to his Tesla stock, protesters are hoping to impact his wealth by discouraging vehicle sales. While previous demonstrations were sporadic, Saturday saw a coordinated effort to surround all 277 Tesla showrooms and service centres in the US, aiming to exacerbate the company’s recent decline in sales.
By early afternoon, groups ranging from a few dozen to several hundred had gathered outside Tesla locations in states such as New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Maryland, Minnesota, and Texas. Images shared on social media showed signs reading “Honk if you hate Elon” and “Fight the billionaire broligarchy.”
As the day progressed, protests spread to major cities including Washington, Chicago, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, and Seattle, as well as smaller towns in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Colorado. In some locations, counterprotesters also made an appearance.
In Dublin, California—roughly 60 miles east of San Francisco—protesters chanted, “Hey, hey, ho, ho, Elon Musk has got to go!” Meanwhile, across the street, a smaller group of Trump supporters waved American flags. A larger demonstration took place in nearby Berkeley, with protestors marching to the beat of drums.
“We’re living in a dangerous state,” said Dennis Fagaly, a retired teacher from Oakland. “If we don’t act now, we risk losing the country we know.”
International anti-Musk sentiment
The movement, known as Tesla Takedown, also organised protests in more than 230 locations worldwide. Although turnout in Europe was smaller, the opposition to Musk remained strong.
In London, about two dozen people gathered outside a Tesla dealership, holding signs criticising the billionaire, while passing cars and lorries honked in support. One protester held a sign comparing Musk to historical authoritarian figures, while another dressed in a Tyrannosaurus rex costume carried a banner that read, “You thought the past was extinct—don’t buy a Swasticar.”
“We want to raise awareness and make noise about the issues at hand,” said Cam Whitten, an American participating in the London demonstration.
Tesla Takedown has gained support from disillusioned Tesla owners, public figures including actor John Cusack, and even political figures such as Democratic Representative Jasmine Crockett from Dallas.
“I’ll keep raising my voice in Congress—you just need to keep raising yours in the streets,” Crockett urged during an online organising session earlier this month. Representative Pramila Jayapal also joined a demonstration in Seattle, where she serves as a congressional representative.
Concerns over vandalism
While most protests remained peaceful, there have been instances of vandalism. Some Tesla vehicles have been set on fire, prompting US Attorney General Pam Bondi to label such acts as domestic terrorism. In a recent company meeting, Musk condemned the attacks, stating, “People need to stop acting irrationally.”
Authorities in Germany are also investigating a fire that destroyed seven Teslas in the early hours of Saturday. While it is unclear if the incident was linked to the protests, it has raised further concerns.
Musk’s optimism amid declining sales
In response to growing dissatisfaction, many Tesla owners have sought to sell their vehicles, while others are using bumper stickers to distance themselves from the company. However, Musk has dismissed concerns about sales figures, assuring employees in a recent meeting that the Model Y would remain “the best-selling car on Earth again this year.” He further predicted that Tesla would surpass 10 million sales worldwide by next year, up from its current total of approximately 7 million.
“There are always challenging moments, but I firmly believe the future remains bright and full of opportunity,” Musk said.
Following Trump’s election last November, investors initially viewed Musk’s collaboration with the administration as beneficial for Tesla, particularly in relation to its autonomous vehicle projects. This optimism saw Tesla’s stock rise by 70% between the election and Trump’s inauguration, creating an additional $560 billion in shareholder value. However, investor confidence has since waned amid concerns over backlash, slowing sales in key markets such as the US, Europe, and China, and Musk’s divided focus between Tesla and his government role at DOGE.
“This is a critical moment for Musk,” noted Dan Ives, an analyst at Wedbush Securities. “Navigating this crisis is essential for Tesla’s future.”
