The weekend saw a second round of scattered protests outside Tesla showrooms across the United States, sparked by the “TeslaTakeover” movement. The hashtag has gained traction on the social media platform Bluesky, drawing attention to the controversial actions of Tesla CEO Elon Musk, particularly his role as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency since the beginning of Donald Trump’s presidency.
While the protests aren’t particularly large in scale, they are widespread in cities such as New York and even in lesser-known areas like Golden Valley, a suburb of Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Action Network’s website for organising protests indicates that rallies are also being planned in cities across Ohio, Florida, Washington, New Mexico, and Alberta, Canada.
Rise and Resist went back to Tesla today, to defend democracy and the Constitution against Musk’s criminal enterprise. #StopTheCoup #TeslaTakedown #EndOligarchy
— Rise and Resist (@riseandresist.bsky.social) February 16, 2025 at 2:59 AM
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Protesters express concerns over Musk’s leadership and influence
Concerns over Musk’s leadership and political activities have largely driven the protests. Tesla investors have voiced their worries about the negative impact Musk’s actions could have on the company, especially in light of a significant drop in its stock price. According to an ABC report, Tesla’s stock has fallen 21 per cent since Trump’s inauguration.
Internally, there have also been concerns. As reported by The Washington Post, employees and senior staff at Tesla discussed the possibility that the company might perform better if Musk were to step down.
One of the most significant rallies this weekend took place outside Tesla’s showroom in Manhattan, which also hosted a protest on February 9th. Videos from the protest show demonstrators chanting slogans such as, “Don’t buy swastikas” and “Elon Musk can go to Mars; we don’t need your Nazi cars.” These chants likely reference Musk’s controversial associations with far-right groups, such as Germany’s AfD party, and his actions on Inauguration Day that raised suspicion about his political leanings.
Growing movement seen across various platforms
The #TeslaTakeover hashtag has garnered plenty of attention on Bluesky. Still, the protests have gained more visibility on that platform than on others like X, Instagram, or Threads. In addition to the in-person demonstrations, many have shared posts on social media to voice their discontent with Musk’s actions.
Some, like musician Sheryl Crow, have opted for more symbolic forms of protest. Crow posted a video showing a Tesla being hauled away on a flatbed truck, accompanied by a message that read, “There comes a time when you have to decide who you are willing to align with. So long, Tesla.” Crow also mentioned that she had donated the money she had spent on the vehicle to NPR, which is currently facing scrutiny due to an FCC investigation into public media.
More protests are expected to occur in the coming days, with demonstrations scheduled for the President’s Day holiday on Monday, including rallies in Lowell, Maine, and Richmond, Virginia. Additionally, other protests in the works won’t target Tesla showrooms directly. Still, they will focus on Musk’s political actions, cryptocurrency ventures like DOGE, and connections with President Trump.
