Anti DOGE Protests erupted outside Tesla stores across the United States on Saturday, with demonstrators opposing CEO Elon Musk’s efforts to cut government spending under President Donald Trump’s administration. The protests, part of a broader backlash against Musk’s influence in Washington, also targeted Tesla’s reputation, urging boycotts of the electric vehicle company.
According to news reports, more than 50 demonstrations took place across US cities, including Tucson, St. Louis, New York City, Dayton, Charlotte, and Palo Alto, with additional protests planned in England, Spain, and Portugal later in March. A website named ‘Tesla Takedown’ listed multiple events across North America and Europe.
Nathan Phillips, a 58-year-old ecologist protesting in Boston, said, “We can get back at Elon. We can impose direct economic damage on Tesla by showing up at showrooms everywhere and boycotting Tesla and telling everyone else to get out, sell your stocks, sell your Teslas.”
Critics argue that Musk’s moves, including directing government job cuts and shutting down sections of federal agencies such as the US Agency for International Development, overstep Congress’s budgetary authority and could create conflicts of interest due to his business ties. Musk also leads SpaceX, which handles Nasa and intelligence community contracts, as well as the social media platform X.
Protesters rally outside of a Tesla store in Boston, Saturday, March 1, 2025, against the company’s CEO, Elon Musk, who is leading an effort to cut government jobs on behalf of President Donald Trump. (AP Photo)
Demonstrations in some locations turned tense. In New York City, around 300 people gathered at a Tesla dealership, with police taking nine individuals into custody. Federal prosecutors also charged a woman with vandalising a Tesla dealership in Colorado, where Molotov cocktails were thrown at vehicles and the words “Nazi cars” were spray-painted on the building.
Some Tesla owners have reported acts of vandalism against their vehicles, with Jewish groups expressing concern over rising antisemitic incidents. News reports mention spray-painted swastikas on Tesla cars amid the growing controversy.
Despite the protests, Musk remains one of the world’s richest individuals, with an estimated net worth of USD 359 billion, according to Forbes. Tesla’s stock has fallen nearly a third since Trump took office, though it remains higher than its value a year ago.
Protesters rally outside of a Tesla store in Boston, Saturday, March 1, 2025, against the company’s CEO, Elon Musk, who is leading an effort to cut government jobs on behalf of President Donald Trump. (AP Photo)
Carina Campovasso, a retired federal worker, said during the Boston demonstration, “This government led by Trump and Musk, it’s gone completely off the rails and we are here to stop that. And I hope they listen.”
Protesters rally outside of a Tesla store in Boston, Saturday, March 1, 2025, against the company’s CEO, Elon Musk, who is leading an effort to cut government jobs on behalf of President Donald Trump. (AP Photo)