Protesters hold election-themed gathering near Elon Musk’s Austin-area home
About 60 people gathered Saturday near Elon Musk’s home in West Lake Hills, Texas, for an event organized by three nonprofit groups. The gathering featured two chartered party buses, music, speeches, refreshments and Cybertruck-shaped piñatas. Participants also danced to Queen’s “We Will Rock You.”
The organizers—VOCAL-TX, the Center for Popular Democracy and People’s Action—promoted the event as a peaceful “People Over Billionaires Election After Party.” They said it was meant to celebrate voters rejecting the influence of wealthy donors. The groups’ leaders did not respond to requests for comment.
Attendees carried signs including “Texas is not for sale” and “Alright Texas! Now let’s tax Musk.” Some smashed star-shaped and Cybertruck piñatas. A local newspaper described the gathering as a party, reporting that participants formed a conga line and handed out party hats and cider.
The event followed protests against Tesla and Musk that began in 2025, in response to Musk’s political activity and his role in the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency. Some of those demonstrations were accompanied by vandalism at Tesla dealerships and damage to vehicles. A previous investigation estimated that 258 organizations, with combined annual revenues of about $2.6 billion, were connected to the protests.
The three groups involved in Saturday’s event reported a combined $56.1 million in revenue in 2024, based on their latest available tax filings. They are separate organizations, and the figures do not represent a shared budget. The Center for Popular Democracy reported $40.9 million, People’s Action Institute reported $2.1 million, and VOCAL-NY—which fiscally sponsors VOCAL-TX—reported $13.1 million.
VOCAL-TX identifies VOCAL-NY as its fiscal sponsor and sister organization. The Center for Popular Democracy describes itself as a network of community groups, while People’s Action says it brings together local organizations for advocacy campaigns. May Day Strong, another coalition promoted alongside the event, says it includes more than 600 labor and community groups.
Organizers have previously described their local activities as community-led. Critics, however, argue that coordination among national networks can make centrally supported campaigns appear more spontaneous. Researchers studying political rhetoric have also warned that language portraying opponents as dangerous or illegitimate may help create conditions in which political violence is seen as acceptable, though Saturday’s event was reported to be peaceful.
One familiar anti-Musk poster was also on display, showing the billionaire with the words “I Am Stealing From You.” The Progressive Change Institute has said it commissioned the design from Washington-based artist Absurdly Well. The image later appeared at demonstrations around the country, and the organization has offered copies to donors.
The protest focused in part on Musk’s political spending during the 2026 election cycle. Estimates of his disclosed spending vary: one analysis put it at roughly $474 million, while figures based more narrowly on federal election filings placed it closer to $445 million. About $212 million reportedly went toward committees supporting Texas Republican Ken Paxton’s unsuccessful Senate campaign.
