Protests Erupt at Tesla Showrooms Over Elon Musk’s Role in Government
Demonstrators gathered at more than 50 Tesla showrooms across the U.S. on Saturday, protesting CEO Elon Musk’s involvement in President Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
The movement, dubbed "Tesla Takedown," aims to pressure stakeholders into selling their Teslas, offloading stock, and joining picket lines.
"A Vote of No Confidence" in Musk
One of the main organizers, actor and filmmaker Alex Winter, told CNN that the ultimate goal is to create a "vote of no confidence" in Musk among shareholders.
The first Tesla Takedown protest took place on February 15 after Winter spoke with Boston University sociologist Joan Donovan, who proposed the idea on Bluesky, a social media platform competing with Musk’s X (formerly Twitter).
Since taking charge of DOGE on January 20, Musk has faced backlash for mass layoffs in federal agencies, dismantling USAID, and seeking access to sensitive government payment systems.
Movement Gains Global Momentum
The protests have now expanded beyond the U.S., with demonstrations held in Barcelona and planned rallies in London, Lisbon, and Reykjavik.
“I’m very satisfied with where we are now,” Winter said. “We’ve provided people an easy way to protest during a very difficult time.”
Growing Demonstrations Across the U.S.
Protests have varied in size, with some of the largest gatherings occurring in Boston, Portland, California, and Florida. In Tucson, Arizona, around 1,000 protesters gathered outside a Tesla showroom.
In Washington, D.C., what began as a two-person demonstration outside a Tesla dealership in Georgetown quickly grew to about 20 people within an hour. Chants of "Elon Musk has got to go" echoed through the streets as passing drivers honked in support.
Among the protesters was Peter Jones, a 59-year-old pilot, who said he felt powerless watching Musk’s growing influence.
“Nobody can keep up with all of the destruction,” Jones told CNN. “I don’t feel empowered unless we get out into the street.”
His wife, Bonnie Jones, raised concerns about Musk’s other government contracts, including Starlink, arguing that he hasn’t been properly vetted like other Trump appointees.
For Donna Powell, a retiree from Washington, D.C., this was her 20th protest against the Trump administration and Musk.
“Tesla stock has been going down, and we want to see that continue,” Powell said. “We want to see Musk hurt. We also hope that Congress grows a spine and does what they’re elected to do.”
Targeting Musk’s Wealth
Protesters are hoping that declining Tesla sales and stock value will hit Musk where it hurts most—his net worth.
Tesla’s stock has plummeted 27.6% in February, wiping out $52 billion from Musk’s fortune. He still owns nearly 411 million Tesla shares (13% of the company), making the stock price crucial to his wealth.
Will the Protests Impact Tesla?
So far, there’s little evidence that Tesla owners are rushing to sell their cars. Jessica Caldwell, head of insights at automotive site Edmunds, said there hasn’t been an increase in Tesla owners looking to trade in their vehicles.
She noted that selling a car depends on multiple factors, including high interest rates and Tesla’s recent price cuts. Additionally, some Tesla owners separate the brand from Musk, making them less likely to ditch their cars over his political involvement.
However, Caldwell said Musk’s high-profile role in DOGE is creating unnecessary controversy for Tesla.
“When you look at other car companies, most people couldn’t even name their CEO, let alone their political views,” she said.
Tesla Faces Declining Sales and Stiff Competition
Tesla’s global sales dropped 1.1% in 2024—its first annual decline in 12 years—with 1.79 million vehicles sold, down from 1.81 million in 2023.
In recent months, Tesla sales have also suffered significant drops:
- December 2023 to January 2024: Sales plunged 24%
- January to February 2024: Sales fell 16%
Some analysts suggest that Tesla’s slowdown isn’t just due to Musk’s political controversies but also a lack of new models. Aside from minor updates and the Cybertruck, Tesla’s lineup is aging while competitors like GM, Ford, and Volkswagen continue to expand their EV offerings.
As protests grow and Tesla’s stock continues to slide, the long-term impact of Musk’s political entanglements remains to be seen.
