A wave of protests swept across the United States on Saturday, as demonstrators gathered outside Tesla showrooms in numerous cities, voicing their discontent with Elon Musk's leadership and his role as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency. The protests, organized under the hashtag "TeslaTakeover," were sparked by concerns over Musk's divisive efforts and their potential impact on the electric car manufacturer.

The protests, though not massive in scale, were widespread, with rallies taking place in cities such as New York, Minneapolis, San Francisco, and Kansas City. Protesters' messages focused on Musk's controversial actions, with some chanting slogans like "Don't buy swasticars" and "Elon Musk can go to Mars; we don't need your Nazi cars," possibly referencing his support for far-right groups or a suspicious salute on Inauguration Day.

One of the larger rallies took place outside Tesla's Manhattan showroom, where a previous protest had occurred on February 9th. Actor and progressive activist Alex Winter, who heavily promoted the protests on social media, posted an image of himself holding a sign urging people to sell their Teslas at a protest in Pasadena, California. Winter also re-shared posts from protests at Tesla showrooms in other California cities, as well as from people who'd posted about rallies in Rockville, Maryland; Tucson, Arizona; and Golden Valley, Minnesota.

Despite the protests being relatively small, they reflect growing concerns among Tesla investors and employees about Musk's activities. Tesla's stock price has plummeted by 21% since Donald Trump's inauguration, according to an ABC story. Inside the company, employees and senior staff have expressed their desire for Musk to resign, as reported by The Washington Post.

The protests are expected to continue, with more planned for the President's Day holiday on Monday, including one in Lowell, Maine, and at least one other in Richmond, Virginia. These demonstrations are in addition to numerous other protests planned this weekend that target Musk's actions more broadly, rather than specifically focusing on Tesla showrooms.

The "TeslaTakeover" movement has primarily gained traction on Twitter alternative Bluesky, with many posts and images showcasing the protests. However, the hashtag has garnered fewer responses on other social media platforms like X, Instagram, and Threads.

In addition to the protests, some individuals have chosen to express their discontent with Musk in other ways. Musician Sheryl Crow posted a video of a Tesla being driven away on a flatbed truck, accompanied by a message stating that she had decided to sell her Tesla and donate the money to NPR, which is currently facing an FCC investigation into public media.

The widespread protests and growing discontent among investors and employees raise questions about the future of Tesla and Musk's leadership. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the electric car manufacturer will respond to these criticisms and whether Musk's role as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency will ultimately impact the company's success.