Demonstrators gather for a protest against Musk and electric car maker Tesla on Feb 22, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. Hundreds rallied at various entrances to the University Village shopping mall, in addition to the Tesla showroom's storefront at the mall. — AFP
The first month of Donald Trump’s return to the White House has been inarguably dominated by an unelected private citizen. Elon Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency has barged into the federal government and laid much of the greater bureaucracy to waste through a rash of layoffs and cost-slashing, despite several court challenges and missteps.
Tesla buyers, who lean left, are displaying anti-Elon bumper stickers, and a protest movement is emerging that aims to strike Musk where it could potentially hurt the CEO: Tesla’s share price. Following a series of protests at Tesla dealerships around the country last weekend, organisers of Tesla Takedown are eyeing a prolonged campaign that puts the national spotlight on Musk’s extremism, which includes brandishing a Nazi salute during Trump’s January inauguration ceremony.
