Protests against Elon Musk and Tesla have spread across the United States.
Activists are targeting Tesla showrooms and charging stations, demanding accountability for Musk’s role in the Trump administration.
The movement, called “Tesla Takedown,” has drawn thousands of protesters in cities like New York, Boston, San Francisco, and Portland.
Demonstrators argue that Musk is using his influence to overhaul the federal government through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), even though he has no formal government position.
In Lawrenceville, New Jersey, the group Indivisible Cranbury is organizing a “Tesla Takedown Rally” outside the Tesla dealership at 3371 Brunswick Pike #100.
The group, which describes itself as a patriotic political organization, is protesting Musk’s leadership of DOGE.
According to Indivisible Cranbury’s founder, Laura Zurfluh, Musk and his team have taken control of government agencies without oversight, cut jobs, and gained unauthorized access to private data.
She says the only way to hold him accountable is to hurt Tesla’s bottom line by encouraging people to sell their cars and avoid buying new ones.
The protests are growing in response to Musk’s involvement in major job cuts.
Under DOGE, thousands of federal workers have been laid off, including employees at the U.S. Agency for International Development, which funds humanitarian aid.
National Park Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) workers have also lost jobs.
In response, more than 1,000 protesters gathered at a NOAA facility in Boulder, Colorado, while others protested at national parks across the country.
In Portland, Oregon, over 350 people gathered outside a Tesla dealership.
Carolanne Fry, a public employee, helped organize the protest, urging Tesla owners to sell their vehicles and investors to sell their Tesla stock.
In Washington state, Carlo Voli has helped organize six protests at Tesla showrooms, saying the goal is to make Tesla a “toxic brand.”
The movement has gained traction online through hashtags like #TeslaTakedown and #Swasticars.
The second hashtag emerged after Musk made a hand gesture that critics said resembled a Nazi salute.
Musk dismissed the accusations, calling them a “tired attack.”
Still, the controversy has fueled more protests.
Tesla owners have also been caught in the backlash.
Some have reported their cars being vandalized, with swastikas spray-painted on them or signs labeling them “Nazi cars.”
In Wallingford, Washington, forensic engineer Rainer Eckert has repeatedly found protest signs taped to his Tesla.
He plans to sell his car and donate the money to charity, but until then, he has placed a bumper sticker on it that says, “Bought Before We All Knew He Was a Jerk.”
Law enforcement has responded to the growing protests.
In New York City, about 300 demonstrators gathered outside a Tesla showroom, and at least nine arrests were made when some protesters entered the dealership.
In Boston, 300 protesters and a 15-person brass band gathered outside a Tesla store.
Other cities like Tucson and Charlotte have also seen demonstrations at Tesla locations.
Tesla’s stock has been affected by Musk’s political involvement.
While Tesla shares nearly doubled after Trump’s re-election in late 2023, the stock has since fallen more than 40% from its peak.
Analysts point to multiple factors, including Musk’s controversial actions, competition from Chinese electric vehicle makers, and general uncertainty in the market.
A poll conducted after the election showed that among voters who supported Kamala Harris, 59% had an unfavorable view of Tesla, compared to 36% of Trump voters.
The White House has dismissed the protests.
Trump’s spokesperson, Harrison Fields, said demonstrations would not stop the administration from making the government “more efficient.”
Tesla has not issued an official response.
Musk, who owns 12.8% of Tesla’s stock—valued at about $114.7 billion—has remained mostly silent on the protests.
His personal net worth is estimated at $359 billion.
Despite the decline in stock, Tesla remains the world’s most valuable automaker.
The protests have also spread beyond the United States.
Demonstrators have organized in England, Spain, and Portugal, hoping to increase pressure on Musk and Tesla.
Activists say they will continue pushing until Musk is held accountable for his role in DOGE and his influence over the federal government.
