NEW YORK – On an overcast and otherwise sleepy Saturday, around 250 people stand outside of the Tesla showroom in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District to protest what they believe is the growing danger of fascism.
Their signs are simple enough: “Dump Tesla,” “Arrest Musk” and “Nobody Elected Elon” – but they portend a seemingly unprecedented era in U.S. politics. A billionaire, the richest man in the world, in fact, now seeks to hold almost unlimited power over the United States government.
These protests have been called by a newly formed coalition effort called “Tesla Takedown.” Started in February, groups and individuals can announce a protest in their city outside of a Tesla dealership or service center and have it featured on an interactive map that others can reference to attend protests.
The self-proclaimed decentralized movement aims at Elon Musk’s business interests as a soft underbelly for protest against an increasingly authoritarian Trump administration backed by the billionaire and his interests. So far, hundreds of cities across the United States and even the world have taken up the challenge, including here in New York City.
Parked around the corner
Dozens of NYPD vehicles are parked around the corner on 14th Street. Officers from the anti-protest “Strategic Response Group” are standing in front of the Tesla showroom as part of a buffer of barricades keeping protesters at bay.
Just last weekend, six protesters were arrested attempting to launch a non-violent sit in at this location. Unlike his earlier persona, that of an eccentric billionaire out to save humanity, the general public has certainly soured on Musk.
Lots of people have a bone to pick with him- environmental activists, trade unionists, women’s groups, antiracists, antifascists and advocates for democracy. This is a man who travels with an increasingly large security contingent because he has become so adept at making enemies.
One man stands with not one but two signs highlighting Elon Musk’s recent Nazi salutes. He identifies himself as Monty. When asked why he’s protesting outside of a Tesla dealership, he tells People’s World that “there’s a few things you can do to move the needle. Sometimes when you’re trying to protest a politician, it doesn’t always work. But if you actually take 100 billion dollars from anyone in their net worth, it’s going to sting.”
He is referring to the catastrophic dive in Musk’s net worth in the stock market this year as more and more investors question the wisdom of his political and business decisions. “Ultimately,” Monty says, “if we could get the board to remove Elon Musk as CEO, we’ve done our job.”
Musk aligned himself closely with Trump during the campaign, and has appeared even closer since his inauguration, taking over Oval Office press conferences and even commandeering part of the president’s inaugural speech. Though Musk’s business interests are just as intimately involved with the government, from military contracts to tax rebates for his electric vehicles, the relationship has literally not paid off during Trump’s second term. Indeed, Tesla has lost nearly 50% of its stock value since January 20th, 2025 – the day Trump was inaugurated a second time.
“Prior to the election, prior to him dipping his toe in politics, everyone thought he was doing this great thing and saving the world,” says Monty. “Then people realized he’s toxic, his vehicles are toxic, and anything that funds him is toxic. Ultimately, for him, it’s about consolidating power and not saving the world.”
Some rage has coursed hotter and deeper than that seen on Saturdays in front of the Tesla showroom on Washington Street. Dealerships and charging stations have been attacked across the United States, in states like Colorado, Oregon, Massachusetts, South Carolina, and Maryland.
People’s World spoke with Karen Ortiz, a self-described “proud” AFGE member and federal worker. “What’s surprising to me is that people didn’t see this coming. I had read Project 2025 and saw the blueprint and how they wanted to gut federal agencies, including the agency I worked for. They showed us in plain daylight what they were going to do.”
Ortiz holds a sign that alerts passersby to the fact that Tesla is currently facing legal challenges for racist harassment against Black workers. “I’m a federal employee and I know the destruction that DOGE and its tentacles have had in our government. I also work for the EEOC so I wanted to let people know there are multiple lawsuits from the US government against Tesla, including a lawsuit that’s still alive in district court against Tesla for racial discrimination against Black workers. I wanted to make sure their voices were heard as well.”
In answer to this challenge to his public brand, Musk has resorted to calling in favors from his friends in government. In a resounding rebuttal to those who would suggest the protests have had little effect on Tesla’s stock price, Musk appeared at the White House with Donald Trump himself last week. The two of them stood in front of three Tesla model vehicles as Trump praised the company and its owner, and also announced to reporters present that he was buying a brand new Cybertruck for his granddaughter. Though such a grotesque public endorsement from a public employee caused a slight bump in Tesla stock prices, the protests seem unlikely to wind down anytime soon.
“This is the biggest test for democracy that we’ve seen in our time,” Monty adds. “Democracies have failed in the past. We can fail, too. People have to unite and actually speak up.”
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