Tesla faces the brunt as Musk goes all-in on DOGE
What's the story
Elon Musk's electric vehicle company, Tesla, has become the epicenter of anti-DOGE protests in the US. The demonstrations are a response to Musk's efforts to reduce government spending during President Donald Trump's administration. Protesters aim to discourage consumers from purchasing Tesla products and tarnish the company's reputation. Over 50 protests have occurred in cities including Tucson, St. Louis, New York City, Dayton, Charlotte, and Palo Alto. Further demonstrations are scheduled in England, Spain, and Portugal later this month.
Organized opposition
"Tesla Takedown" movement gains momentum
The anti-DOGE protests, dubbed the "Tesla Takedown," are being organized by liberal groups hoping to drum up opposition against Musk's Department of Government Efficiency. Critics claim Musk's actions violate Congress's budgetary authority and may even create conflicts of interest with his business ties. Apart from Tesla, Musk also runs SpaceX and social media platform X. The movement aims to challenge Musk's dominance in government spending decisions.
Public outcry
Protesters call for boycott of Tesla products
Boston protester Nathan Phillips, a 58-year-old ecologist, said, "We can get back at Elon. We can impose direct economic damage on Tesla by showing up at showrooms everywhere and boycotting Tesla and telling everyone else to get out, sell your stocks, sell your Teslas." Carina Campovasso, a retired federal worker also protesting in Boston, said the government led by Trump and Musk has "gone completely off the rails and we are here to stop that. And I hope they listen."
Rising tensions
Tensions escalate as Tesla vehicles vandalized
Some protests have even turned into vandalism against Tesla vehicles. In New York City, nearly 300 people assembled at a Tesla dealership, leading to nine arrests by the police. A woman in Colorado was federally charged for vandalizing a local Tesla dealership with Molotov cocktails and spray-painting "Nazi cars" on the building. These incidents underscore the growing intensity of the anti-DOGE demonstrations nationwide.
Rising concerns
Anti-DOGE protests spark concerns of antisemitism
Jewish groups have expressed concerns over a rise in antisemitic incidents associated with the anti-DOGE protests. Despite the backlash, Musk remains one of the world's richest people with Forbes estimating his net worth at $359 billion. Tesla's stock has plummeted by nearly one-third since Trump assumed office, but it is still worth more than a year ago.