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The ‘Tesla Takedown’ movement is gaining momentum as activists protest against Tesla and Elon Musk in response to federal job cuts linked to Musk’s role in the Department of Government Efficiency.“>
A growing grassroots movement is targeting Tesla and its CEO, Elon Musk, in response to widespread federal job cuts under the Trump administration. Dubbed the “Tesla Takedown,” the protest campaign aims to pressure Musk by encouraging people to boycott Tesla products, divest from the company, and picket at Tesla showrooms.
According to Reuters, the movement has emerged amid public frustration over job losses at federal agencies, many of which have been linked to Musk’s role in the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Critics argue that Musk’s influence over federal restructuring poses ethical concerns, while his supporters claim he is necessary for eliminating government inefficiencies. The protests, though still in their early stages, reflect the increasing politicization of Musk’s business empire and the backlash against his collaboration with the Trump administration.
Elon Musk faces backlash as activists launch ‘Tesla Takedown’ protests
The “Tesla Takedown” movement gained traction this week as protesters gathered outside Tesla dealerships across the United States. In Portland, Oregon, around 350 demonstrators chanted slogans against Musk while urging people to sell their Tesla vehicles and divest from the company.
One of the lead organizers, Carolanne Fry, emphasized the goal of making Tesla a “toxic brand” to weaken Musk’s financial influence. “Every economic angle that we can attack Elon is for the best,” she stated, calling on institutions, including state retirement funds, to divest their Tesla holdings.
While the protests remain relatively small, they signal a broader pushback against the Trump administration’s job cuts, particularly among Democratic voters who feel their party leaders have not responded forcefully enough.
Elon Musk’s role in government workforce cuts
Elon Musk has been instrumental in implementing sweeping reductions to the federal workforce through his leadership of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). His team has overseen the termination of thousands of federal employees and the cancellation of contracts at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which funds global humanitarian programs.
Critics argue that Musk’s direct access to federal agencies represents an overreach of power for an unelected business leader. They also raise concerns about potential conflicts of interest, as Musk’s companies—including Tesla, SpaceX, and Neuralink—could benefit from government restructuring. His supporters, however, claim his aggressive approach is necessary to streamline what they view as an overly bureaucratic federal system.
Economic and political impact on Tesla
Tesla has long been associated with progressive values, particularly in the realm of environmental sustainability. However, Musk’s involvement in the Trump administration and his cost-cutting efforts have alienated some former supporters. For many protesters, Tesla has become a symbol of the administration’s policies, making it a prime target for activism.
Carlo Voli, an interpreter from Washington state, described the campaign’s strategy: “The idea is to tarnish the Tesla brand, bring down the stock price, and have a real impact on Musk’s pocketbook.” Protesters believe that economic pressure will be the most effective way to challenge Musk’s influence.
So far, neither Musk nor Tesla has responded to requests for comment about the protests.
Social media and public backlash
Anti-Tesla campaigns have also gained momentum on social media platforms like Instagram and X, using hashtags such as #TeslaTakedown and #Swasticars. The latter reference stems from a hand gesture Musk made, which some critics have likened to a Nazi salute. Musk has dismissed these accusations as unfounded political attacks.
Some Tesla owners have also reported experiencing hostility due to their vehicles. Rainer Eckert, a Tesla driver in Washington state, said he has received repeated anonymous notes labeling his car a “Nazi car.” He recently put a sticker on his vehicle reading, “Bought Before We All Knew He Was a Jerk,” but it has not stopped the incidents.
Broader anti-DOGE protests
The Tesla-focused protests are part of a larger movement opposing federal job cuts. Thousands of people have demonstrated at national parks in response to the firing of over 1,000 National Park Service employees. Similarly, more than 1,000 people gathered at a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) building in Boulder, Colorado, to protest layoffs at the agency.
Despite the growing dissent, some political figures are advising caution. Political strategist James Carville recently wrote in a New York Times column that Democrats should take a different approach, calling for “the most daring political maneuver in the history of our party: roll over and play dead.”
Tesla’s financial performance and market reaction
While it is difficult to measure the direct impact of these protests on Tesla’s sales, the company did experience a decline in annual vehicle sales for the first time last year. However, analysts attribute this primarily to increased competition in the electric vehicle (EV) market, particularly from Chinese automakers and legacy car manufacturers like General Motors.
Tesla’s stock performance has also fluctuated. The company’s shares nearly doubled between late October and mid-December, coinciding with Trump’s re-election. However, since peaking on December 17, Tesla’s stock has dropped by more than 40%, though it remains valued at around $900 billion—far above any other automaker.
Public opinion on Tesla has also shifted. A poll conducted after the November election for the advocacy group EV Politics Project found that 59% of voters who supported Kamala Harris held an unfavorable view of Tesla, compared to 36% of Trump voters. This suggests that Musk’s outspoken political stance is influencing consumer sentiment.
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Demonstrations at Tesla showrooms and social media campaigns aim to pressure Musk by urging boycotts and divestments, highlighting public backlash and changed consumer sentiment.
The ‘Tesla Takedown’ movement is gaining momentum as activists protest against Tesla and Elon Musk in response to federal job cuts linked to Musk’s role in the Department of Government Efficiency.“>
A growing grassroots movement is targeting Tesla and its CEO, Elon Musk, in response to widespread federal job cuts under the Trump administration. Dubbed the “Tesla Takedown,” the protest campaign aims to pressure Musk by encouraging people to boycott Tesla products, divest from the company, and picket at Tesla showrooms.According to Reuters, the movement has emerged amid public frustration over job losses at federal agencies, many of which have been linked to Musk’s role in the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Critics argue that Musk’s influence over federal restructuring poses ethical concerns, while his supporters claim he is necessary for eliminating government inefficiencies. The protests, though still in their early stages, reflect the increasing politicization of Musk’s business empire and the backlash against his collaboration with the Trump administration.Elon Musk faces backlash as activists launch ‘Tesla Takedown’ protests
The “Tesla Takedown” movement gained traction this week as protesters gathered outside Tesla dealerships across the United States. In Portland, Oregon, around 350 demonstrators chanted slogans against Musk while urging people to sell their Tesla vehicles and divest from the company.One of the lead organizers, Carolanne Fry, emphasized the goal of making Tesla a “toxic brand” to weaken Musk’s financial influence. “Every economic angle that we can attack Elon is for the best,” she stated, calling on institutions, including state retirement funds, to divest their Tesla holdings.While the protests remain relatively small, they signal a broader pushback against the Trump administration’s job cuts, particularly among Democratic voters who feel their party leaders have not responded forcefully enough.Elon Musk’s role in government workforce cuts
Elon Musk has been instrumental in implementing sweeping reductions to the federal workforce through his leadership of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). His team has overseen the termination of thousands of federal employees and the cancellation of contracts at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which funds global humanitarian programs.Critics argue that Musk’s direct access to federal agencies represents an overreach of power for an unelected business leader. They also raise concerns about potential conflicts of interest, as Musk’s companies—including Tesla, SpaceX, and Neuralink—could benefit from government restructuring. His supporters, however, claim his aggressive approach is necessary to streamline what they view as an overly bureaucratic federal system.
Economic and political impact on Tesla
Tesla has long been associated with progressive values, particularly in the realm of environmental sustainability. However, Musk’s involvement in the Trump administration and his cost-cutting efforts have alienated some former supporters. For many protesters, Tesla has become a symbol of the administration’s policies, making it a prime target for activism.
Carlo Voli, an interpreter from Washington state, described the campaign’s strategy: “The idea is to tarnish the Tesla brand, bring down the stock price, and have a real impact on Musk’s pocketbook.” Protesters believe that economic pressure will be the most effective way to challenge Musk’s influence.
So far, neither Musk nor Tesla has responded to requests for comment about the protests.
Social media and public backlash
Anti-Tesla campaigns have also gained momentum on social media platforms like Instagram and X, using hashtags such as #TeslaTakedown and #Swasticars. The latter reference stems from a hand gesture Musk made, which some critics have likened to a Nazi salute. Musk has dismissed these accusations as unfounded political attacks.
Some Tesla owners have also reported experiencing hostility due to their vehicles. Rainer Eckert, a Tesla driver in Washington state, said he has received repeated anonymous notes labeling his car a “Nazi car.” He recently put a sticker on his vehicle reading, “Bought Before We All Knew He Was a Jerk,” but it has not stopped the incidents.
Broader anti-DOGE protests
The Tesla-focused protests are part of a larger movement opposing federal job cuts. Thousands of people have demonstrated at national parks in response to the firing of over 1,000 National Park Service employees. Similarly, more than 1,000 people gathered at a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) building in Boulder, Colorado, to protest layoffs at the agency.
Despite the growing dissent, some political figures are advising caution. Political strategist James Carville recently wrote in a New York Times column that Democrats should take a different approach, calling for “the most daring political maneuver in the history of our party: roll over and play dead.”
Tesla’s financial performance and market reaction
While it is difficult to measure the direct impact of these protests on Tesla’s sales, the company did experience a decline in annual vehicle sales for the first time last year. However, analysts attribute this primarily to increased competition in the electric vehicle (EV) market, particularly from Chinese automakers and legacy car manufacturers like General Motors.
Tesla’s stock performance has also fluctuated. The company’s shares nearly doubled between late October and mid-December, coinciding with Trump’s re-election. However, since peaking on December 17, Tesla’s stock has dropped by more than 40%, though it remains valued at around $900 billion—far above any other automaker.
Public opinion on Tesla has also shifted. A poll conducted after the November election for the advocacy group EV Politics Project found that 59% of voters who supported Kamala Harris held an unfavorable view of Tesla, compared to 36% of Trump voters. This suggests that Musk’s outspoken political stance is influencing consumer sentiment.
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