Citizens across the US have been protesting against Elon Musk and his “Department of Government Efficiency,” with many taking action at Tesla auto dealerships. The protests in Palo Alto, where Musk once lived, were organized by Raging Grannies and drew attention from former residents who had initially supported Tesla as early buyers.
In 2018, nearly two-thirds of electric vehicles sold in Palo Alto were Teslas, but now residents are speaking out against Musk’s behavior. “We’re not just going to buy Tesla products anymore; we’re going to use our money to show him that his actions won’t be tolerated,” said one protester.
The protests come as Tesla’s market value has declined since its post-election high. The White House has defended Musk, with Trump stating that any violence against Tesla would be considered “domestic terrorism.” Meanwhile, the Department of Justice is launching investigations into the protest movement, warning protesters to “watch out” if they plan to take action.
Protesters in Palo Alto were careful not to disrupt business, but instead aimed to send a message. “We’re not actually preventing anybody from entering the storefront,” said one protester, “but somebody driving by might think twice.”
Source: https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2025/03/tesla-musk-doge-dealership-boycott-protest