Tesla Takedown Continues: Protesters Demand Action Against Musk's Policies

Delray Beach, USA - Protests against Elon Musk show no sign of dwindling despite his recent exit from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). This ongoing disruption is marked by the Tesla Takedown movement, which urges supporters to divest from Tesla and protest against what they describe as a billionaire takeover of democracy. The protests expose a growing rift in public opinion regarding corporate power and its intersection with politics.

On March 29, 2025, demonstrators took to the streets outside Tesla dealerships across the U.S. and Europe, rallying against Musk’s controversial leadership role as head of DOGE under President Donald Trump. Uniting under slogans like “Honk if you hate Elon” and “Fight the billionaire broligarchy,” these protests targeted all 277 Tesla showrooms and service centers in the U.S. Musk’s public feud with Trump additionally fuels discontent, as he criticized the president’s tax policies as a “disgusting abomination,” despite contributing a hefty $288 million to Trump’s 2024 campaign reports the Times of India.

The Tesla Takedown Movement

The Tesla Takedown movement, which gathered significant momentum earlier this year, organized over 60 protests on May 7 in cities including Delray Beach, Louisville, and Decatur. While attendance sees fluctuations due to weather and competing events—like this year’s Pride Month celebrations—local organizers remain resilient. Melissa Knutson, one of the movement’s leaders, stated, “We’re tired of the billionaire takeover,” underscoring the determination of the demonstrators according to AP News.

In Washington, D.C., a recent gathering saw around 30 protesters at a Tesla showroom, down from 200 the previous week in Rockville, Maryland. The movement has transitioned from smaller scale protests to wider, organized acts of dissent aimed at raising awareness about perceived injustices in Musk’s policies. This grassroots activism comes amidst Tesla experiencing its largest sales decline in history, with a 13% dip in Q1 2025 and a further 14% drop in stock this week, marking nearly a 47% decrease from its peak value of $488.54 in December 2022 notes Tesla Magazine.

Issues in the Spotlight

The discontent extends beyond simple protests; it has sparked deep concerns about the political implications of Musk’s corporate decisions. On March 8, a protest in New York City’s Meatpacking District involved approximately 250 demonstrators, leading to police intervention and several arrests. Critics argue Musk’s policies threaten democratic principles, as communities rally against budget cuts and restructures initiated under his leadership at DOGE.

While many protests remain peaceful, some have escalated to vandalism, including instances where Tesla vehicles were set ablaze. Such actions have drawn sharp condemnation, with U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi labeling some incidents as domestic terrorism. In addition to the vandalism, a protest in Massachusetts resulted in injuries to two individuals from a vehicle incident, though there were no serious casualties reported AP News details.

Despite the turbulence, Musk remains optimistic about Tesla’s future, anticipating sales growth and maintaining that the Model Y will continue to dominate the market. However, as activists encourage existing Tesla owners to divest, the dialogue about corporate accountability and ethics becomes increasingly significant. The Tesla Takedown movement represents more than just protests; it embodies a larger conversation about the role of billionaires in shaping our democracy and the social responsibility of corporations.