Scattered protests emerged across the United States this past Saturday, gathering at Tesla showrooms to voice frustration against Elon Musk's influential role within the U.S. government and his recent cost-cutting initiatives, dubbed as DOGE, for Department of Government Efficiency. Protesters, not opposed to electric vehicles per se, expressed their anger at Musk's actions, which they feel dismantle aspects of democracy.
Outside a Tesla dealership in Berkeley, California, Linda Koistinen and her husband Dale joined around 200 individuals rallying against Musk. "It's not right. He should not be deciding the fate of our democracy by disassembling our government piece by piece," Linda told the BBC, highlighting the sentiment shared by many. This protest was part of the organized movement #TeslaTakeover, primarily coordinated through the social media platform Bluesky, known as Musk’s competitor to X, formerly Twitter.
Despite snowy and cold conditions, other gatherings occurred in Washington D.C., Minneapolis, Pittsburgh, and Lyndhurst, Ohio, garnering handfuls of participants who braved the elements to express their dissent. Signs waved by the protesters included phrases such as "Say no to Doge" and "Deport Musk," amplifying the collective voice against the billionaire’s decisions.
Musk, who is known for his ownership of multiple companies including SpaceX and Neuralink, has recently pushed to reduce government spending and streamline operations by sending teams to review public agencies. Critics argue this exemplifies not only his overreach but also undermines elected officials' authority. Dale Koistinen, expressing his disbelief at the situation, remarked, "This is unbelievable. This is a takeover of our government," echoing the frustration of many Americans who believe such actions should not fall to private individuals.
Notably, public figures have also weighed in on the controversy. Sheryl Crow, for example, recently posted on social media about selling her Tesla, stating, "So long Tesla," as part of her decision to distance herself from Musk and his policies. She plans to donate the proceeds to National Public Radio, taking aim at Musk’s criticisms toward the media organization.
The protests have been endorsed by notable activists, including disinformation researcher Joan Donovan and actor Alex Winter, who urge citizens to recognize and fight against the influence of billionaires like Musk on public policy. This collective resistance reflects broader anxieties among the public concerning the intertwining of corporate influence and government decision-making.
Participants like Teah Jackson, who stumbled upon the rally and stopped to show her support, emphasized the importance of such movements. "It's hopeful. It's an acknowledgement...that they're going to continue to push for what they believe in," she shared, reinforcing the notion of persistent civic engagement.
These protests are not merely about Musk himself or his companies, but resonate with larger discussions about the power and accountability of wealthy individuals within political systems. The convergence of grassroots activism, social media organization, and public sentiment signals growing frustrations with perceived elitism and tentacles of private interests within the government.
The tensions between Musk's intentions, framed as efforts to make government operations more efficient, and the feelings of protesters highlight deep divides about how much influence private individuals should have over public policy and the functioning of democracy.
With demonstrations echoing the belief in safeguarding democratic principles against corporate manipulation and the need for accountability, it remains to be seen how these protests will influence not only public sentiment but also individual actions against the backdrop of Musk’s formidable presence across multiple sectors.