Over 10,000 protesters gathered in New York City on President's Day to express their outrage against the Trump administration and Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The protest was one of several that took place across the country, with smaller demonstrations also occurring at Tesla dealerships. The protesters, who converged on Washington Square Park, raised concerns about DOGE's access to sensitive data of millions of Americans and the dismantling of federal agencies.

The protesters' concerns were fueled by DOGE's actions, which have resulted in the firing of nearly 10,000 federal workers and the dismantling of several government agencies. Additionally, DOGE has cut 104 government contracts related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility programs. The protesters view Musk's work with DOGE as a veiled attempt at a financial power grab, and are frustrated that an unelected official has gained unprecedented levels of power over the federal government.

Many of the protesters expressed concerns about Musk's access to sensitive data, with one protester, Dmitri, stating, "I think it's extremely dangerous that [Musk] has access to our personal data... He's kind of a futurist fanboy who's basically living in a sci-fi fantasy and trying to implement that, and has the resources to do mass amounts of damage." Another protester, Tom, held a sign that read "No one voted for Musk," and noted that he didn't believe the average MAGA supporter voted for Musk, worrying that DOGE's cuts would hurt Americans on a state, local, and individual level.

The protesters' concerns are not unfounded, as Trump's executive order granting Musk access to the Treasury department's digital payments system has raised questions about security clearances, cybersecurity practices, and the legality of Musk's activities. A wave of legal challenges has followed, alleging a lack of transparency and data privacy violations.

Supporters of Trump and Musk argue that their efforts are aimed at rooting out corruption, inefficiency, and red tape. However, opponents warn that DOGE's actions will lead to more corruption and national security risks. The protesters in New York City chanted "Hey, hey, ho, ho, Elon Musk has got to go," and held signs that touted a range of causes, but Musk and DOGE were a common theme throughout.

The New York Police Department estimated the number of attendees to be more than 10,000. The protesters' signs and chants reflected their concerns about the consolidation of power under billionaires, with one sign reading "Stop the coup." Victoria, a 37-year-old teacher, echoed comments made by Arizona's attorney general, Kris Mayes, who told The Guardian, "In the U.S., we appeal rulings we disagree with – we don't ignore court orders or threaten judges with impeachment just because we don't like the decision. This is a coup, plain and simple."

Musk's actions have also had an impact on Tesla's brand image. During the automaker's 2024 fourth-quarter earnings, analyst Thomas Monteiro of Investing.com noted that the hype around Tesla is trending downward due to, among other things, "severe brand devaluation." Stories are cropping up of people selling their Teslas out of a desire to no longer support Musk's businesses. Some Cybertruck owners have reported instances of vandalism and harassment.

The automaker's sales, which were already beginning to suffer due to increased competition in the market and a stale lineup, have begun to plummet in Europe after Musk did what many say was a Nazi salute. Poland's sports and tourism minister Slawomir Nitras lobbied for a Tesla boycott, and in Germany, several companies have cut ties with Tesla in reaction to Musk's support both for Trump and the far-right political party Alternative for Germany (AfD).

The protests and backlash against Musk and DOGE highlight the growing concerns about the consolidation of power under billionaires and the potential risks to national security and individual privacy. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the Trump administration and Musk will respond to the mounting criticism.