1). “Elon Musk, DOGE, and the ‘Tesla Takedown’ protests across US | Explained in 5 points. Tesla Takedown: Protesters gathered at Tesla locations across the US and beyond, rallying against Elon Musk's influence in politics and his controversial actions. The ‘Tesla Takedown’ movement, supported by disillusioned owners and lawmakers, seeks to challenge the billionaire”, Mar 30, 2025, Gulam Jeelani, Mint, at < https://www.livemint.com/news/
2). “Elon Musk claims ‘investigation’ links George Soros, Reid Hoffman to funding ‘Tesla Takedown’ | Everything to know: Elon Musk accused billionaires George Soros, Reid Hoffman of funding Tesla Takedown protests, citing an investigation into ActBlue. He claimed five ActBlue-funded groups were responsible for the protests, although evidence linking them to the protests remains unsubstantiated”, Mar 9, 2025, Sayantani, Mint, at < https://www.livemint.com/
3). “Major Tesla Stock Bull Sounds Alarm on Major Problem Facing Elon Musk”, Mar 29, 2025, Samuel O'Brient, The Street, at < https://www.msn.com/en-us/
~~ recommended by dmorista ~~
Introduction by dmorista: Yesterday, Saturday, March 29, 2025 saw even more protests and demonstrations at Tesla Dealerships around the U.S. and in other areas, including Australia and several countries in Europe. Long supported by money from extremist right-wing oligarchs and plutocrats, and always looking for a way to smear and defeat progressive grass roots critics and popular movements; both Trump and Musk are convinced that the Tesla Takedown movement is being lavishly funded some of the few oligarchs who sympathize with the common people. Musk published accusations of massive support by George Soros and Reid Hoffman in a diatribe in X, but presented no proof whatsoever.
The Trump Regime is taking active steps to try to suppress the spontaneous outporing of popular rage and criticism. Rather than acknowledge that the U.S. population has large contingents of people who are enraged and fearful of such outrages as stealing the monies and resources used to support such programs as Social Security, Medicare, and even Medicaid; or of closing many Federal Regulatory Departments as the Department of Education, the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau; or of a plan to privatize the U.S. Post Office. But instead we hear the old B.S. Routines, always used by repressive regimes, about “outside agitators” stirring up resistance. Trump's toady Attorney General, Pam Bondi, has issued a proclamation and had the FBI form a special task force to find and imprison vandals who damaged Tesla vehicles or charging stations. This is blatant use of Federal Power to oppress political opponents, Bondi and Trump and Musk want people sentenced to 20 year prison terms (served in the torture mills in El Salvador) for even simple acts like spray painting slogans on Teslas or on Property. The various proclamations from Bondi include one that stated:
“Today, Attorney General Pamela Bondi announced charges against three individuals responsible for the violent destruction of Tesla properties. All three defendants will face the full force of the law for using Molotov cocktails to set fire to Tesla cars and charging stations.
“ 'The days of committing crimes without consequence have ended,' said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. 'Let this be a warning: if you join this wave of domestic terrorism against Tesla properties, the Department of Justice will put you behind bars.'
“One defendant, also armed with a suppressed AR-15 rifle, was arrested after throwing approximately eight Molotov cocktails at a Tesla dealership located in Salem, Oregon.
“Another was arrested in Loveland, Colorado after attempting to light Teslas on fire with Molotov cocktails. The defendant was later found in possession of materials used to produce additional incendiary weapons.
“In Charleston, South Carolina, a third defendant wrote profane messages against President Trump around Tesla charging stations before lighting the charging stations on fire with Molotov cocktails.
“Each defendant faces serious charges carrying a minimum penalty of five years and up to 20 years in prison.
“The Department of Justice is committed to ending all acts of violence and arson directed at Tesla properties and otherwise.
“Updated March 20, 2025”. (See, “Attorney General Pamela Bondi Announces Severe Charges Against Violent Tesla Arsonists”, March 20, 2025, Department of Justice, Office of Public Affairs, at < https://www.justice.gov/opa/
This program of repression contrasts very strongly with the pardons and encouragement of heavily armed vigilantes and militias, and the pardons given to Abortion Clinic bullies and thugs.
The protests and boycott proposals being made by Tesla Takedown come at a time when Tesla's position among the global vehicle manufacturers is already in serious trouble. The Chinese have taken a commanding position in global EV production and sales. The BYD company in particular produces a vehicle more or less comparable to the cheapest car Tesla makes, the Tesla Model 3, for much less; originally selling the new entry-level BYD for $11,000. The most stripped down Model 3 retails for $42,490. Trump set the 100% tarrifs on cars and car parts to specifically protect Tesla.
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Elon Musk, DOGE, and the ‘Tesla Takedown’ protests across US | Explained in 5 points | Today News
Tesla Takedown: Elon Musk-owned Tesla facilities witnessed protests at several locations in the United States and beyond on March 29, Saturday over the billionaire's influential role in the Donald Trump administration.
The anti-Musk protesters are building the 'Tesla Takedown' movement, targeting the EV maker's dealerships and vehicles in opposition to his role as the head of the newly created Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE. as part of President Donald Trump administration's efforts to reduce federal government spending.
After earlier sporadic demonstrations, protests were reported on Saturday (US time) outside 277 of the automaker's showrooms and service centres in the US in hopes of deepening a recent decline in the company's sales, according to news agency AP.
Protesters gathered at Tesla locations in New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Maryland, Minnesota and Texas – the automaker's home state.
The protestors brandished posters reading “Honk if you hate Elon” and “Fight the billionaire broligarchy.”
Tesla locations in other cities such as Washington, Chicago, Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Seattle, as well as towns in Virginia, Pennsylvania and Colorado, also witnessed similar protests, according to AP.
“Hey, hey, ho, ho, Elon Musk has got to go!” several dozen people chanted outside a showroom in Dublin, California, about 35 miles (60 miles) east of San Francisco, while a smaller cluster of Trump supporters waved American flags across the street.
Anti-Musk sentiment extends beyond the US
The ‘Tesla Takedown’ rallied protesters at more than 230 locations in other parts of the world. The turnouts in Europe were not as large, yet the anti-Musk sentiment was similar.
In London, about two dozen people held signs lambasting the billionaire outside a dealership as passing cars and trucks tooted horns in support.
One sign displayed depicted Musk next to an image of Adolf Hitler making the Nazi salute — a gesture that Musk has been accused of reprising shortly after Trump's January 20 inauguration.
How did ‘Tesla Takedown’ begin?
‘Tesla Takedown’ is organised by a group of supporters that included disillusioned owners of the automaker's vehicles, celebrities such as actor John Cusack, and at least one Democratic Party lawmaker, Jasmine Crockett, the US Congress Representative from Dallas.
“I'm going to keep screaming in the halls of Congress. I just need you all to make sure you all keep screaming in the streets,” Crockett said during an organising call this month.
Why Target Tesla?
Organisers say the 'Tesla Takedown' movement is fueled by anger over Musk's slashing of the federal government, and that it aims to hit the billionaire by targeting his electric vehicle company Tesla, the main source of his wealth.
The Hurun Global Rich List for 2025 ranks Tesla-SpaceX owner Elon Musk as the richest man with a $420 billion net worth. The biggest portion of Musk's estimated USD 340 billion fortune consists of his stock in the electric vehicle company, which continues to run while he works with President Trump.
According to 'Tesla Takedown', thousands of grassroots groups and individuals worldwide are driving the decentralised effort. Another Democratic lawmaker, Representative Pramila Jaypal, showed up at a protest in Seattle, which she represents in Congress.
“Hurting Tesla is stopping Musk,” reads the website of Tesla Takedown.
Boycott Tesla Call
Crockett and other ‘Tesla Takedown’ supporters have been stressing the importance of Saturday's protests remaining peaceful. This is because there have been reported incidents of Tesla vehicles being set on fire or vandalism as part of the protests. US Attorney General Pam Bondi has decried these acts as ‘domestic terrorism.’
At a company meeting earlier this month, Musk indicated that he was dumbfounded by the attacks and said the vandals should “stop acting psycho.”
Police are investigating a fire that destroyed seven Teslas in northwestern Germany in the early morning.
Many consumers who bought Tesla vehicles before Musk took over DOGE have been looking to sell or trade them in, while others have slapped on bumper stickers seeking to distance themselves from him, as a mark of protest. For weeks, the movement's organisers have encouraged people to boycott Tesla, the EV maker, by selling their cars and stocks.
However, in the March meeting, Musk did not appear concerned about an extended slump in new sales, during which he reassured the workers that the company's Model Y would remain “the best-selling car on Earth again this year.” He also predicted that Tesla would sell more than 10 million cars worldwide by next year, which is up from about 7 million currently.
Tesla sales slumping
Tesla sales have slumped, and investors have grown uneasy, more so Musk's political turn, according to NPR. However, there is no evidence to prove that the dip in Tesla sales and shares is linked to Musk's involvement with the Trump administration.
Tesla has been losing market share to EV competitors for years. Many say that the stock price of his company has fallen in anticipation of auto tariffs.
(With agency inputs)
- The ’Tesla Takedown’ movement mobilizes protests at over 230 global locations against Elon Musk’s political influence.
- Protesters include disillusioned Tesla owners, celebrities, and lawmakers, emphasizing the need for peaceful demonstrations.
- The protests coincide with reported vandalism of Tesla vehicles, raising concerns about safety and domestic terrorism.
Elon Musk claims ‘investigation’ links George Soros, Reid Hoffman to funding ‘Tesla Takedown’ | Everything to know | Company Business News
Elon Musk, who owns 12% stake in Tesla, has in a explosive claim accused fellow billionaires George Soros, Reid Hoffman, and the ActBlue fundraising organisation over the recent protests that have rocked Tesla. Elon Musk has also cited an unspecified ‘investigation’ into ActBlue while accusing the billionaires of funding Tesla Takedown protests.
“An investigation has found 5 ActBlue-funded groups responsible for Tesla “protests”: Troublemakers, Disruption Project, Rise & Resist, Indivisible Project and Democratic Socialists of America. ActBlue funders include George Soros, Reid Hoffman, Herbert Sandler, Patricia Bauman, and Leah Hunt-Hendrix”, Elon Musk wrote on X.
“ActBlue is currently under investigation for allowing foreign and illegal donations in criminal violation of campaign finance regulations. This week, 7 ActBlue senior officials resigned, including the associate general counsel”, Elon Musk added.
Elon Musk reposted a tweet by right-wing influencer Mario Nawfal parroting the Tesla Chief’s claims about ActBlue, George Soros and Reid Hoffman, which vaguely cited X, the New York Post and the conservative outlet BizPac Review as sources, though a BizPac Review article about the protests only cited Musk’s post as a source and articles by the New York Post about Tesla protests do not state who is behind them.
Notably, there is no other evidence linking Soros or Hoffman to the Tesla protests. George Soros and Reid Hoffman are linked to ActBlue through their roles as prominent Democratic donors. However, there is no evidence linking them to recent Tesla protests.
Elon Musk’s latest post comes one day after he said, “Something stinks about ActBlue,” in a post on X, which was in response to a user posting about seven ActBlue senior officials resigning at the end of February.
Elon Musk, who also owns 42% stake in SpaceX, saw his net worth is deplete more than $120 billion from his $464 billion peak in December, as the value of Tesla shares fell amid fears over President Donald Trump’s tariffs, according to Forbes.
What is ActBlue Organisation?
Elon Musk misleadingly called the protesters at Tesla “ActBlue-funded,” though ActBlue does not fund groups, but instead is a platform through which donors can give money to campaigns or organizations.
ActBlue is a nonprofit organisation and political action committee (PAC) that serves as a major fundraising platform for Democratic candidates and progressive causes in the United States.
Founded in 2004, ActBlue specialises in mobilising small-dollar donations, having raised over $13.7 billion for Democratic candidates and causes as of June 2024.
It operates as a conduit for processing individual contributions, which are then reported to the Federal Election Commission.
George Soros: George Soros is a renowned Hungarian-American financier and philanthropist, best known for his successful hedge fund management and his role as the founder of the Open Society Foundations, which support democratic initiatives globally. Through his philanthropy, Soros has donated over $32 billion to promote human rights, education, and democracy across more than 100 countries.
Reid Hoffman: Reid Hoffman is a prominent American entrepreneur and venture capitalist, celebrated for co-founding LinkedIn, a leading professional networking platform.
On Saturday, multiple protesters were arrested outside of a New York City Tesla dealership, some of whom chanted: “We need clean air, not another billionaire,” the New York Post reported.
Earlier this week, about 350 protesters chanted, “Elon Musk has got to go,” outside of a Tesla dealership in Portland, Oregon.
Last week, protesters at more than 50 Tesla stores across the United States demonstrated to protest Musk, and some of the protests have extended internationally to Barcelona, London and Lisbon, CNN reported.
Many of these protests appear to be organised on the “Tesla Takedown” website, which urges protesters to “sell your Teslas, dump your stock, join the picket lines.
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Major Tesla stock bull sounds alarm on major problem facing Elon Musk
Tesla (TSLA) stock closed in the red on March 28, ending a volatile week. The early momentum following Elon Musk’s all-hands meeting the prior week sparked enthusiasm among retail traders that ultimately proved unsustainable.
Now, the former electric vehicle (EV) leader is facing an uncertain future as sales decline in the U.S. and Europe. Despite the bump that TSLA stock received earlier in March when U.S. President Donald Trump purchased an EV from Musk, it is clear that unfavorable market conditions are weighing heavily on Tesla's stock price.
As TSLA stock struggles against shifting economic tides, the recent tariffs that Trump levied against the automotive industry raise more questions about the company’s growth prospects.
Even one of Wall Street’s most notorious TSLA stock bulls has been less enthusiastic lately. He ended this week with a note highlighting an element that is concerning for both Tesla and Musk.
One analyst sees dark days ahead for Tesla
Even before Trump imposed new 25% tariffs against the automotive industry, investors had been trying to determine what such policies would mean for Tesla. Now that he’s moved forward with this new policy, concern is rising, particularly regarding EVs.
Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives has built a reputation as an outspoken Tesla bull. He has a history of praising Musk and issuing bullish price targets. Over the past few weeks, though, he has issued notes with a less enthusiastic tone despite maintaining a highly bullish price target of $550.
Related: Tesla stock mega bull gives Elon Musk an ultimatum
In his latest note, dated March 28, Ives explained why he is concerned about tariffs.
The analyst sees them as highly problematic for the entire automotive sector, including Tesla, a company that he seemed to have unwavering faith in until recently.
“Even US automakers that produce cars in the US have ~40%-50% of auto parts that come from abroad,” Ives states. “A US car with all US parts made in the US is a fictional tale not even possible today. In our view it would take 3 years to move 10% of the auto supply chain to the US and cost hundreds of billions with much complexity and disruption.”
Ives highlighted the seriousness of these predictions by adding “The winner in our view from this tariff is no one....as even Tesla still is hit from these tariffs and will be forced to raise prices.”
Anyone who follows Ives knows that he is concerned about Tesla; it isn’t without reason.
Musk seems worried about the tariffs as well. He recently responded to an X post that broke down where cars sold in the U.S. are made, estimating the impact on various automakers from the tariffs, stating that Tesla will still be impacted.
That said, not everyone agrees that these tariffs will harm Tesla so much. TechCrunch ( describes the tariffs as a gift to Tesla, stating that it will be less impacted than many competitors as it builds every EV it sells in the U.S. at factories in California and Texas.)
- As Tesla stock plunges, burning questions surround Elon Musk
- Tesla stock declines could cost Elon Musk something important
- European tech companies reveal strategy to take on Elon Musk
“Essentially every other automaker is in a worse position than Tesla, and the tariffs will especially affect competing EVs,” the outlet notes. It cites Ford (F) as an example since the legacy automaker builds most vehicles in the U.S. but imports several popular EVs from a facility in Mexico.
Musk did not explain how tariffs will impact Tesla the most in his post.
Are Ives and Musk correct about tariffs' impact on Tesla?
While it is clear that Tesla is in a better position to survive the trade war than many of its rivals, that doesn’t mean it won’t be impacted if it is forced to raise prices. Despite these new apprehensions, Ives isn’t changing his Tesla price target, which implies significant upside potential.
Marcus Sturdivant Sr, Managing Member/Advisor of The ABC Squared, spoke to TheStreet about how the tariffs will likely impact Tesla and why he shares Ives’
“Dan Ives and Wedbush are spot on in their assessment that there will be no winners in this, as this market gets worse before it eventually gets better,” he predicts. “The bumps for Tesla could see the $170s- $180s on the low end before an acceleration in the second half of the year. Their $550 price target could be a bit lofty for this year but Musk could post on X and send the stock to $400 overnight.”
Since Tesla has gone so far as to write a letter to Trump expressing concern about the tariffs, though, it is clear that the company doesn’t see them as being beneficial.
The company’s perspective seems to be that when it comes to the long-term impact of the tariffs, the bad will likely outweigh the good.
