Several dozen protestors rallied just north of the Tesla dealership at Santa Monica Place on Saturday, undeterred by statements made by President Donald Trump that protesting actions taken by Tesla CEO Elon Musk in his role as head of the Department of Government Efficiency would be treated as domestic terrorism.
Musk has become one of the most controversial figures in the world in recent years. From purchasing Twitter and turning the social media company into a right-wing political misinformation outlet, to using his immense fortune to support far-right political parties throughout the world, to using his political influence to create a government department that makes cuts to the federal government without the approval of Congress.
And all of that says nothing about the time he twice made a nazi-salute to the audience at the inauguration of President Donald Trump.
As Tesla stock prices continue to plummet (the price fell another 12% today), United States Trump sought to bolster the damaged reputation of Musk’s car company with a spectacle in front of the White House last week. Trump purchased a car directly from Musk while reading remarks prepared by the car company. Trump also made threats against those who have protested against Tesla and other Musk-owned companies.
Musk has also used the Twitter/X platform to paint a target on the back of protestors, alleging they committed crimes even when no crime has occurred.
Supporters of Musk and the president argue that the Republican political leaders are just protecting Musk’s interests after a small series of instances where Tesla products and dealerships were involved with fires.
The protest was part of a global movement against the electric car company known as the “Tesla Takedown.” The Tesla Takedown movement is a protest movement without central leadership that targets Tesla dealerships with peaceful protests to highlight the damage being done by Musk in his governmental roles and political advocacy for nationalist causes.
In addition to nationwide protests at Tesla dealerships, activists protested outside of SpaceX facilities in Long Beach.
