Protests Target Tesla Over Elon Musk's Role in Government Downsizing

Demonstrators across the U.S. and Europe criticize Musk's leadership of the Department of Government Efficiency under the Trump administration.

Protests, organized under the 'Tesla Takedown' movement, took place at over 50 Tesla showrooms in the U.S. and Europe, with participants urging boycotts of Tesla vehicles and stock sales.
Critics accuse Musk of overstepping Congress's authority by implementing drastic federal workforce reductions and shutting down agencies like USAID through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Demonstrators expressed concerns about Musk's influence in government, highlighting potential conflicts of interest given his leadership roles in Tesla, SpaceX, and the social media platform X.
Incidents of vandalism, including swastikas spray-painted on Tesla vehicles, have raised concerns about growing antisemitism, while some protests have led to arrests and confrontations with Tesla customers.
Tesla has faced a 27.6% stock decline in February and a drop in annual sales for the first time in 12 years, though analysts suggest multiple factors, including increased competition, may contribute to the company's challenges.