Protests Continue at Tesla Showrooms Over Elon Musk’s Actions
This weekend marked the second wave of protests at Tesla showrooms across the U.S. and beyond, fueled by the trending hashtag #TeslaTakeover on the Twitter alternative Bluesky. Protesters focused on Tesla CEO Elon Musk and his divisive role as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency during Donald Trump’s presidency. The demonstrations, while not massive, took place in numerous locations, ranging from large cities like New York to smaller areas like Golden Valley, Minnesota.
A section of the Action Network’s site lists upcoming protests planned in cities across Ohio, Florida, Washington, New Mexico, and even Alberta, Canada. Concerns from Tesla investors have also surfaced. Many are worried Musk’s controversial activities are damaging the brand, with Tesla’s stock price reportedly dropping 21% since Trump’s inauguration, according to an ABC story. Inside Tesla, employees and senior staff have reportedly expressed in meetings that the company would benefit from Musk stepping down, as detailed in The Washington Post.
One of the larger protests this weekend occurred outside Tesla’s Manhattan showroom, where demonstrators chanted slogans like, “Don’t buy swasticars” and “Elon Musk can go to Mars; we don’t need your Nazi cars.” These chants reference Musk’s alleged ties to far-right groups, including Germany’s AfD party, as reported by CNN.
Videos and images from other protests emerged online, highlighting gatherings in places like Berkeley, California; San Francisco, California; and Kansas City, Missouri. Similar protests occurred in Austin, Texas, Seattle, Washington, and Boston, Massachusetts.
In some cities, turnout was smaller. In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Baltimore, Maryland, only a handful of people—or even a single protester—showed up outside Tesla showrooms.
Actor and activist Alex Winter joined the movement, sharing an image of himself holding a sign at a protest in Pasadena, California, encouraging people to sell their Teslas. Winter also amplified posts from events in Corte Madera, San Jose, Los Angeles, Rockville, Maryland, Tucson, Arizona, and Golden Valley, Minnesota.
The hashtag #TeslaTakeover gained significant visibility on Bluesky but saw less activity on platforms like X, Instagram, or Threads. Some individuals protested in more symbolic ways. Musician Sheryl Crow shared a video of her Tesla being towed away, along with a message encouraging others to decide who they align with. She stated she donated the proceeds to NPR, which is currently under threat from an FCC investigation.
More protests are expected on Presidents’ Day, including events planned in Lowell, Maine and Richmond, Virginia, alongside additional demonstrations targeting broader concerns about Musk, the Department of Government Efficiency, and the Trump administration.
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