Protesters gathered outside a US Tesla store on Saturday to protest against Elon Musk, the automaker's billionaire CEO, to protest his push to cut government spending on behalf of President Donald Trump.
The demonstrations are part of the growth of backlash against Musk's disruptive role in Washington in North America and Europe.
Critics of Trump and Musk are hoping to discourage and condemn Tesla, the world's most valuable automaker, from purchasing it. For weeks, liberal groups have organized anti-Tesla protests in hoping to oppose Musk's Bureau of Government Efficiency and against Democrats who were disrupted by Trump's November victory.
“We can go back to Elon,” said Nathan Phillips, a 58-year-old ecologist from Newton, Massachusetts, who was protesting in Boston on Saturday. “We can put in our showrooms everywhere, boycott Tesla, tell everyone else to go out and sell your stock and sell Tesla, and directly imposing economic damage on Tesla.”
Musk claims that he took instructions from Trump to cut federal spending and significantly cut his workforce, and that Trump's victory gave him a mandate to restructure the US government. Doge officials quickly gained access to confidential databases, directed thousands of federal employment cuts, cancelled contracts and closed sections of government, including the US International Development Agency.
Musk's critics say his actions go against the power of Congress that provides many ways to control the US budget and enrich himself. Musk leads several other companies, particularly SpaceX, that are launching the launch of NASA and Intelligence communities, as well as the launch of social media platform X.
Tesla and the White House did not respond to requests that sent an email of comments on Saturday.
More than 50 demonstrations were listed on the website Tesla Takedown on Saturday, with more planned from the US coast to coast along with the UK, Spain and Portugal in the second half of March. The news report showed a recent demonstration in US cities, including Tucson, Arizona. St. Louis; New York City; Dayton, Ohio; Charlotte; Palo Alto, California.
Some Tesla owners have reported vehicles destroyed with spray-painted sw amid fears by Jewish groups and observers.
Federal prosecutors have charged a woman in connection with a series of vandalism against a Colorado Tesla dealer. This included the Molotov cocktail being thrown into the vehicle and the term “Nazi car” painted on the building.
Saturday's demonstration in Boston had a festive atmosphere, with a brass band playing music as protesters carried and chanted the signs. Some signs oge masks and doges.
“This government led by Trump and Musk is completely off the railroad and we're here to stop it,” said Karina Campovaso, a retired federal worker. “And I hope they listen.”
About 300 demonstrators protested at a Tesla dealer in New York City on Saturday. Police said nine people were taken into custody but did not elaborate on the charges they faced.
Tesla stock prices have fallen by almost a third since Trump took office, but are higher than a year ago. Musk's current net worth was calculated at $195 billion for 2024, and Musk's current net worth is estimated at $359 billion.
