In a coordinated effort across the United States and beyond, thousands of demonstrators gathered outside Tesla showrooms this past weekend to protest Elon Musk’s role in government affairs. The protests, organized under the movement known as “Tesla Takedown,” are urging Tesla owners to sell their vehicles and investors to dump Tesla stock in an attempt to weaken Musk’s influence.
The movement stems from Musk’s appointment to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a newly established federal agency created under President Donald Trump’s administration. Protesters argue that Musk’s leadership of DOGE has led to mass layoffs, the dismantling of key government programs, and threats to public services.
With demonstrations spanning over 50 cities in the U.S. and additional protests occurring in Europe, organizers claim their efforts are only just beginning.
In major cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., protestors gathered outside Tesla dealerships, holding signs that read “Elon Must Go,” “DOGE Is a Disaster,” and “Who Voted for Musk?” Demonstrations were also reported in Boston, San Francisco, Portland, Tucson, and Jacksonville, Florida.
One of the largest demonstrations took place in Tucson, Arizona, where over 1,000 people marched outside a Tesla showroom. Protesters chanted slogans and encouraged Tesla owners to sell their vehicles in protest of Musk’s policies.
In Washington, D.C., a small gathering of two demonstrators outside a Tesla showroom quickly grew into a crowd of over 20 within an hour. Among them was Peter Jones, a 59-year-old airline pilot, who said he had been searching for protests online before stumbling upon the event.
“It feels great because right now I feel powerless,” Jones said. “Nobody can keep up with all of the destruction happening. The only way to push back is to get out into the streets. That’s the one thing we have—mass mobilization.”
His wife, Bonnie Jones, expressed concerns about Musk’s unchecked power and his ability to influence both government and private industries. “He controls Tesla, SpaceX, Starlink, and now DOGE—but he was never properly vetted by Congress or put through a confirmation hearing like other federal appointees. That should worry everyone,” she said.
While the majority of protests have taken place in the U.S., the Tesla Takedown movement is spreading globally. Protests were recently held in Barcelona, Spain, and upcoming demonstrations are planned in London, Lisbon, and Reykjavik, Iceland.
Alex Winter, a Los Angeles-based filmmaker and one of the movement’s main organizers, says the global pushback against Musk is growing stronger.
“I am very satisfied, even with where we are now,” Winter told CNN. “We’ve given people an easy way to protest during a very difficult time. And now, this is turning into a worldwide effort.”
The protests are not just about Tesla as a company but rather about Musk’s expanding influence in government policy-making.
Since taking over DOGE in January 2025, Musk has made several controversial decisions, including:
Slashing federal employee jobs through mass layoffs.
Dismantling the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
Attempting to gain control over sensitive government payment systems.
Promoting privatization of key government functions.
Critics say Musk’s free-market ideology and cost-cutting measures threaten public services and government transparency. Many protesters also worry that Tesla buyers and investors are indirectly funding these political actions.
“Tesla’s brand is completely tied to Musk,” said Donna Powell, a retiree from Washington, D.C. who has attended over 20 anti-Trump protests. “If we can drive down Tesla’s stock price, we can send a message that Musk’s influence on government is unacceptable.”
The protests come at a time when Tesla’s business is already struggling.
Tesla reported a 16% drop in global sales between December and January, following a 24% decline in the same period a year earlier. The company also reported its first annual decline in sales in over a decade, with a 1.1% drop in total vehicle deliveries from 2023 to 2024.
Tesla’s stock has taken a major hit, plunging 27.6% in February alone. This has wiped out $52 billion from Musk’s net worth, though he remains the world’s richest person.
Some industry experts believe that Tesla’s slowing sales are due to more than just politics.
Jessica Caldwell, an automotive industry expert at Edmunds, believes Tesla’s aging lineup and increased competition are playing a role in the company’s struggles.
“Tesla hasn’t made any major changes to its cars in years. Aside from the Cybertruck, most models look the same as they did five years ago,” she said.
Meanwhile, competitors like General Motors, Ford, and Volkswagen are aggressively expanding their electric vehicle (EV) offerings, cutting into Tesla’s once-dominant market share.
While the Tesla Takedown movement has generated significant attention, experts remain skeptical about whether it will have a long-term financial impact on the company.
“There’s no major uptick in Tesla owners selling their cars yet,” Caldwell noted. “A lot of people may be unhappy with Musk, but selling a car isn’t an easy decision—especially with high interest rates on new vehicles.”
Still, the negative publicity surrounding Musk and his deepening entanglement in government affairs could have long-term consequences for Tesla’s brand.
Winter and other activists are planning more protests throughout March and April, with a focus on major financial centers like New York’s Wall Street and Silicon Valley.
“If we can pressure Tesla shareholders to take a stand against Musk, that would be a huge victory,” Winter said. “Ultimately, we want a vote of no confidence in Musk’s leadership—both as Tesla’s CEO and as a government figure.”
Meanwhile, lawmakers in Congress are facing increasing pressure to investigate Musk’s role in DOGE and whether his private business dealings create conflicts of interest with his government responsibilities.
Elon Musk’s growing influence in politics has sparked a new wave of resistance, uniting former Tesla fans, anti-Trump activists, and government watchdogs under the Tesla Takedown movement.
As protests continue to spread globally, the question remains: Will this movement successfully weaken Musk’s power, or will Tesla remain resilient despite the backlash?
One thing is clear—Musk is no longer just a billionaire CEO. He is now a political figure, and his every move will be watched closely by both his critics and supporters.
