Protests Erupt Across U.S. Over Elon Musk’s Role in Trump’s Government Spending Cuts

Boston: On Saturday, demonstrators gathered outside Tesla stores across the U.S. to protest CEO Elon Musk's involvement in President Donald Trump’s efforts to slash government spending. The protests are part of a broader backlash against Musk’s role in shaping Trump’s "Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE), aimed at reducing federal spending and workforce.

Protesters, including Nathan Phillips, a 58-year-old ecologist from Newton, Massachusetts, called for boycotting Tesla as a means of exerting economic pressure on Musk. "We can impose direct economic damage on Tesla by showing up at showrooms and telling everyone else to sell their stocks," Phillips said.

Musk's actions, which include supporting job cuts and government shutdowns, have drawn criticism for consolidating power and potentially benefiting his own business interests, including Tesla, SpaceX, and X.

White House spokesperson Harrison Fields responded, stating, “Protests will not deter President Trump and Elon Musk from making the federal government more efficient.”

The protests, which also have international support with upcoming demonstrations in Europe, have included reports of vandalism, including antisemitic graffiti and Molotov cocktails thrown at a Colorado Tesla dealership. In New York City, about 300 demonstrators gathered, with nine arrests made.

Despite a drop in Tesla’s share price, Musk’s net worth remains at an estimated $359 billion. The protests reflect growing public concern over the influence of wealthy tech entrepreneurs on government policy.

By RSS/AP