Group of “Tesla Takedown” Demonstrators gathered at more than 50 Tesla showrooms across the United States on Saturday to protest CEO Elon Musk’s leadership of the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a federal agency created by President Donald Trump.
The protests, part of the “Tesla Takedown” movement, urge Tesla owners to sell their vehicles, divest from the company, and join picket lines. According to the movement’s website, the campaign aims to push back against Musk’s influence over government agencies.
President Donald Trump appointed Musk, the world’s richest person, to lead DOGE on January 20, a decision that has sparked controversy.His tenure has been marked by widespread layoffs in federal agencies, buyout offers to government employees, the dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and efforts to gain access to sensitive financial systems.
Protests Gain Global Momentum
The Tesla Takedown movement has begun expanding internationally. Actor and filmmaker Alex Winter, one of the main organizers, confirmed demonstrations have already taken place in Barcelona, with additional protests planned for London, Lisbon, and Reykjavik over the weekend.
“I am very satisfied, even with where we are now,” Winter said. “We provided people an easy way to protest during a very difficult time.”
The size of protests has varied, with some of the largest demonstrations occurring in Boston, Portland, California, and Florida. In Tucson, Arizona, around 1,000 protesters gathered with signs on Saturday, while in Washington, D.C., an initial group of just two demonstrators outside a Tesla showroom in Georgetown grew to about 20 within an hour.
Chants of “Elon Musk has got to go” rang out at various locations, with passing drivers honking in support.
Impact on Tesla and Investor Sentiment
Some protesters hope their actions will have financial consequences for Tesla and Musk.
“Tesla stock has been going down, and we want to see that continue. We want to see Musk hurt,” said one protester, identified only as Powell. “We also hope that Congress will grow a spine and do what they’re elected to do.”
Musk, who in December became the first person with a net worth exceeding $400 billion, has since lost $52 billion as Tesla shares (TSLA) have fallen by 27.6% in February.
Despite the demonstrations, it remains unclear whether the Tesla Takedown movement will significantly impact the company’s sales. Jessica Caldwell, head of insights at automotive research site Edmunds, noted that Tesla owners have not yet shown an uptick in appraising their used vehicles.
“Selling a car depends on several factors, including the cost of purchasing a new vehicle, especially with high interest rates,” Caldwell said. She also pointed out that Tesla’s lower prices could discourage some owners from selling.
While Musk’s leadership of DOGE may lead to backlash, some consumers continue to separate the company from its controversial CEO, she added.
“When you look at other car companies, most people couldn’t name another automotive CEO, much less their opinion on politics,” Caldwell told CNN.
Tesla’s Sales Slump
Tesla reported global sales of 1.79 million vehicles in 2024, a 1.1% decline from the 1.81 million sold in 2023—marking the company’s first annual sales drop in 12 years.
Tesla’s sales dropped 16% between December and January, improving from the 24% decline recorded between December 2023 and January 2024.
Caldwell suggested that a lack of new models may also be contributing to declining sales. With few major updates aside from the Cybertruck release and minor refreshes to existing models, Tesla faces growing competition from automakers such as General Motors, Ford, and Volkswagen, which are expanding their electric vehicle offerings.
Despite these challenges, Tesla remains a dominant force in the EV market. However, with increasing political scrutiny and intensifying competition, the company’s future may depend on how it navigates both business and public perception.
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