Anti-DOGE Protests Target Tesla Stores Across the US: “We Can Get Back at Elon”

Protesters gathered outside Tesla stores across the United States on Saturday, voicing strong opposition to Elon Musk and his involvement in federal spending cuts under President Donald Trump’s administration. The demonstrations, which have also gained traction in Europe, are part of a wider backlash against Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has aggressively pushed for workforce reductions and budget cuts.

Protesters Urge Boycott of Tesla

The demonstrators aim to financially impact Tesla by discouraging purchases and urging investors to divest from the company. Liberal groups, who have been organizing anti-Tesla movements for weeks, hope to use the protests to energize political opposition against Musk’s policies.

"We can get back at Elon," said Nathan Phillips, a 58-year-old ecologist protesting in Boston. "By boycotting Tesla, urging stock sell-offs, and showing up at showrooms, we can impose direct economic pressure on him."

More than 50 demonstrations took place across major cities, including New York City, St. Louis, Tucson, Dayton, and Palo Alto, California. Additional protests are planned in England, Spain, and Portugal later this month, according to the activist group Tesla Takedown.

Musk’s Role in Government Downsizing Under Fire

Musk, acting on directives from Trump, has spearheaded efforts to slash federal spending, downsize government agencies, and terminate contracts. Under DOGE, the administration has:

• Accessed sensitive federal databases
• Eliminated thousands of government jobs
• Shut down agencies such as the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)

Critics argue that these moves bypass Congressional authority over the federal budget and could benefit Musk financially, given his leadership of SpaceX (which contracts with NASA and the intelligence sector) and the social media platform X.

Neither Tesla nor the White House responded to requests for comment.

Tensions Rise: Vandalism and Arrests Reported

While most demonstrations remained peaceful, several incidents raised concerns about escalating tensions:

• Tesla vehicles were vandalized, with some defaced with spray-painted swastikas, raising fears of rising antisemitism among Jewish organizations.
• In Colorado, a woman was arrested for allegedly throwing Molotov cocktails at a Tesla dealership and spray-painting "Nazi cars" on the building.
• In New York City, approximately 300 demonstrators gathered at a Tesla showroom, leading to nine arrests by law enforcement.

Tesla Stock Drops as Protests Continue

Despite the controversy, some protests took on a lighter tone. In Boston, a brass band played music while demonstrators carried banners mocking Musk and DOGE, with slogans like "Stop Elon and His Despicable Muskrats."

"Trump and Musk’s government is completely out of control, and we are here to stop it," said Carina Campovasso, a retired federal worker.

Tesla’s stock has declined nearly 30% since Trump took office, though it remains higher than a year ago. Meanwhile, Musk’s net worth has soared to $359 billion, according to Forbes.

With protests expected to continue, the movement’s impact on Musk’s businesses and political influence remains to be seen.