Jennifer Brooks (MINNESOTA STAR TRIBUNE) reports:
Seven weeks ago, there were a few dozen people with signs shivering outside the Tesla dealership in Golden Valley. The next week, a few more. Then a few more. Then a few hundred more.
Saturday was designated a "Global Day of Action" -- with four protests planned in the Twin Cities, hundreds planned around the globe -- aimed at one of the richest assets of the richest man on earth.
That asset is worth considerably less, now that Tesla CEO Elon Musk devotes the bulk of his time to dismantling government services and meddling in a judicial election in Wisconsin, where he's expected to show up Sunday.
Musk has spent at least $12 million in an effort to replace a retiring Wisconsin Supreme Court justice with one more to his liking. That tally does not include the $2 million he plans to pay two voters who signed his online petition against “activist judges.”
Sandra Rhude painted a protest sign almost big enough for Musk to see from the state line. She and a group of friends, mostly older women, have been staging protests on bridge overpasses, holding up signs painted on old sheets and curtains. Like this one: A pouty-lipped caricature, with a call to DEPORT ELON.
"I don't want to sit back and read the news and say 'Oh my gosh, this is all so bad'," said Rhude, a mother of seven. "Let's do something. We've got to do something."
The Twin Cities? Just one location that saw protests today as part of the "Tesla Takedown" movement targeting the trashy South African-born Alien Musk who's in the process of attempting to ruin both America and the stocks in Tesla. Alien doesn't have to be deported but he does need to go home. Supreme idiot and drunken fool Pete Hegseth might hail Musk as "an American" but he's not. He's a South African who also claims Canadian citizenship and apparently bought US citizenship while lying and breaking the rules of his US visa which -- pay attention -- is the excuse Convicted Felon Donald Chump is using to deport a large number of people. Surely there's a room in an El Salvador jail for Musk, someone who deserves to be deported much more than any of the people Chump has ported so far.
Musk is Chump's side piece. In the 70s, Chump would have supported his photography 'career' or given him the money to open a small art gallery. In 2024, you apparently create a faux governmental agency for them. And Musk -- who knows nothing about the United States or, for that matter, democracy -- sets out to wreck our country. Only idiots like Musk and Chump would find it surprising that Americans are getting to the point where they'd love to see Musk boiled in oil.
The website for the movement notes:
Elon Musk is destroying our democracy, and he's using the fortune he built at Tesla to do it. We are taking action at Tesla to stop Musk's illegal coup.
⚡Sell your Teslas, dump your stock, join the picket lines.
⚡ We're tanking Tesla's stock price to stop Musk.
⚡Stopping Musk will help save lives and protect our democracy.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. No one is coming to save us. Not politicians, not the media, not the courts.
Tesla Takedown is a peaceful protest movement. We oppose violence, vandalism and destruction of property. This protest is a lawful exercise of our First Amendment right to peaceful assembly.
Non-violent? Oh, no. Does that mean Bottle Blond Bitch Bondi couldn't send in the thugs being used to round up immigrants? Poor Pammy. For more on that idiot, see Elaine's recent posts:
Speaking of bitches, of weak ass bitches, Alien Musk declared this week, "The people pushing the propaganda against Tesla are the real villains here and we are going to go after them. President Trump made it clear we are going to go after them. The ones providing the money, the ones pushing the lies and propaganda."
Did Donald Chump save your ass -- the one with blotchy spots from where they removed hair to put it onto of your bald head? Only the trashiest of women would ever touch that head of ass hair.
There is no propaganda against Tesla.
The propaganda is against America and it comes out of racist Alien Musk's mouth daily such as when he lies that Social Security is "a ponzi scheme." As Senator Chris Van Hollen noted yesterday on MSNBC, that's only one of the many lies about Social Security that Musk keeps telling.
Frank Biignano is nominated for the post of Commissioner of Social Security. This past week, he appeared before the Senate Finance Committee.
Senator Elizabeth Warren: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 90 years ago, Congress passed the Social Security Act, and the deal was simple: you work hard, you pay into Social Security across all your earnings years, and then when you retire, you can count on having those social security benefits that you paid for. And now co-presidents Trump and Musk want to renege on that deal, so DOGE has taken a sledgehammer to the Social Security Administration, firing staff, closing field offices, and pulling the plug on phone services. Last week, the acting commissioner of Social Security, who is openly working with Elon Musk, actually threatened to shut down the entire agency. Now this isn't about efficiency. Elon said the quiet part, about his plans, right out loud. Musk said we should, quote, "eliminate Social Security." The richest man in the world said that Social Security for 73 million Americans should be destroyed. Mr. Bisignano, you have been nominated to be in charge of Social Security, and seniors need to have a right to know if you're going to protect their benefits. So, let's start simple. Say a 66-year-old man qualifies for Social Security. Mr. Bisignano, could the Social Security Administration, or Elon Musk, or Donald Trump decide to cut his benefits by $5,000 for no reason, without a new law passed by Congress?
Frank Bisignano: Is that a question?
Senator Elizabeth Warren: Yeah, that's a question.
Frank Bisignano: I don't see that happening.
Senator Elizabeth Warren: I didn't ask if you see it happening. Could they, by law, cut those benefits without coming to Congress?
Frank Bisignano: No.
Senator Elizabeth Warren: No? All right, so let's dig deeper. Suppose the same 65-year-old calls the helpline to apply for Social Security, but he's told about the new DOGE rule, so he has to go online or in person. He can't drive. He has trouble with the website, so he waits until his niece can get a day off to take him to the local Social Security office, but DOGE closed that office, so they have to drive two hours to get to the next closest office. When they get there, there are only two people who are staffing a fifty-person line, so he doesn't even make it to the front of the line before the office closes and he has to come back. Now let's assume it takes our fellow three months to straighten this out, and he misses a total of $5,000 in benefits checks, which, by law, he will never get back. So, Mr. Bisignano, is that a benefit cut?
Frank Bisignano: Well, first of all, Senator --
Senator Elizbaeth Warren: Is that a benefit cut? I’m sorry, my time is limited here. That's an easy question. Yes or no, is it a benefit cut?
Frank Bisignano: I have no intent to have anything like that happen under my watch, ma’am.
Senator Elizabeth Warren: I understand that. Is it a benefit cut?
Frank Bisignano: I'm not sure what to call it. It sounds like a horrible situation.
Senator Elizabeth Warren: Is the person getting the $5,000 they were legally entitled to?
Frank Bisignano: That was your scenario.
Senator Elizabeth Warren: So, are they getting $5,000 they were legally entitled to?
Frank Bisignano: I don't know. I mean—You just told me—
Senator Elizabeth Warren: You don’t know?
Frank Bisignano: Yeah, I mean—
Senator Elizabeth Warren: Look, let's be clear: that you keep $5,000 from them, by announcing a policy, it's illegal, but there are backdoor ways to accomplish the same thing. DOGE is considering slashing up to 50% of the Social Security Administration's workforce. That means longer lines, more errors, and for everyone who gives up or who dies before they get their benefits sorted out, those delays and errors also turn into benefit cuts. Elon Musk is the richest man in the world, so he doesn't need social security. He'd be glad to get rid of it, but only Congress can cut Social Security benefits, and Elon is trying a backdoor way. So, Mr. Bisignano, if you are confirmed in this job, will you commit to reversing these cuts so that seniors get the money that the law says they are entitled to?
Frank Bisignano: What I will commit to is that I will run the agency, and I will be in charge of the agency, and I will look at every item you want me to look at.
Senator Elizabeth Warren: That's not what I'm asking you. I'm asking—you just answered the previous questions by saying you would follow the law. The law is to deliver the benefits that people are legally entitled to. If you don't have the staff, if you don't answer the phones, if you don't fix the mistakes, people don't get what they're legally entitled to. So, I want to know, are you willing to commit, right now, that you will put enough people back to work so they can do the job of delivering the benefits that Americans earned? Yes or no?
Frank Bisignano: I will commit to have the right staffing to get the job done.
Senator Elizabeth Warren: To get the job done? Meaning delivering the benefits people are entitled to?
Frank Bisignano: Yes.
Senator Elizabeth Warren: I'm going to hold you to that.
Al Root (BARRON'S) observes, "Politics seems to be turning off some of Tesla’s core customers -- politically left-leaning people looking to go green. Weak sales data in the U.S. and Europe to start the year left Wall Street no choice but to cut first-quarter sales estimates that are due to be released April 2." The people have turned against evil-doer Musk. They never really knew him, they only knew the soft p.r. gauze covered creation. Now they see him for the hateful, petty, racist man he is -- a man who would rather attack his daughter publicly than try to make peace with her. And they grasp that he is a direct threat to their lives and livelihood. BBC NEWS explains, "Critics of President Donald Trump's second government have become increasingly vocal about their unease with Mr Musk's growing influence over US politics, with the billionaire given the role of creating a cost-cutting taskforce in the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge). The department has so far fired or offered buyouts to about 100,000 federal employees, and has access to sensitive personal data relating to millions of Americans."
Hence the protests.
Over 200 around the world today, in fact, according to , and CNN):
"It’s unfortunate that Musk has decided to use his power and riches for negative efforts,” said Austin Naughton, who runs a Facebook page for a grassroots organization and helped publicize the Washington, DC, protest for organizers.
A demonstration that began around 11 a.m. local time outside a Tesla showroom in DC’s Georgetown neighborhood drew a crowd of over 100 people for a “Tesla Takedown Dance Party!” as it’s described on the Tesla Takedown Website. Those in attendance carried anti-Musk signs and danced to disco music as cars drove by honking in support.
James Decherd, a DC native, said he was there to show his support for federal workers.
“I’m just afraid for what kind of country this is going to be after these cuts,” Decherd told CNN. “The whole country is at risk of becoming a dystopian hellscape. I don’t know what’s going to happen.”
DOGE has not slowed down in its sweeping efforts to dismantle or overhaul federal agencies. On Monday, the department attempted to shut down the United States Institute of Peace, an independent non-profit agency, and CNN reported on March 13 that DOGE had proposed cutting 20% of the staff at the Internal Revenue Service by May 15.
AP adds, "By early afternoon crowds ranging from a few dozen to hundreds of protesters had flocked to Tesla locations in New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Maryland, Minnesota and the automaker’s home state of Texas. Pictures posted on social media showed protesters brandishing signs such as 'Honk if you hate Elon; and 'Fight the billionaire broligarchy'."
California saw protests in numerous cities. In San Francisco, the Tesla dealership at 999 Van Ness Ave was the protest site. And hundreds showed up -- hundreds of people. But the cars? They weren't present Tesla had moved all vehicles out of the dealership. NBC BAY AREA covered San Jose's protest where Roberta Ortega explained, "This really makes me feel like 'OK, we are not alone when we protest. We need to stand up. and I just feel uplifted by all these people who think like I do, feel the threat of tyranny and we need to save our democracy." KUSI adds, "Here in San Diego, the Tesla Takedown Action Network coordinated three separate protests across the county on Saturday -- outside the UTC Westfield Mall in La Jolla, at the Tesla Dealership in Encinitas and outside the Tesla Showroom in Carlsbad." In Santa Clara, Tori Gaines KTVU's report included the protesters doing call-and-response such as: "When federal workers are under attack, what do we do?" "FIGHT BACK!"
Raleigh, North Carolina? Tom George (ABC11) quotes the protest organizer Kathryn Pollack stating, "Musk is the richest person in the world, and his stock has gone down 50 percent since the inauguration. These protests have had a big impact. People are not happy with what he's doing, and they're not buying his products, and we have nothing against the people who work here, we have nothing against people who drive Teslas, we only have an issue with Musk himself."
Chicago? Maher Kawash (ABC 7) reports:
Chants and roars echoed through parts of Chicago as massive crowds gathered to protest Musk and his company.
"Elon is not an elected person, and he has no authority to dismantle our government and programs that help us American people," Chicago resident Tina Smothers said.
The group remained peaceful as they showcased all sorts of signs and demonstrations, claiming Musk's department of government efficiency has turned into government overreach.
"He's not our president," Chicago resident Vicky Weidenkeller said. "He's not an elected official. What business does he have taking over our government?"
"The streets around Easton Town Center's Tesla dealership were flooded with protestors as hundreds spoke out against Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency's sweeping federal job cuts," explains 10TV of Columbus, Ohio's protest before quoting Rick Neal stating, "We want him out of the government and out of our lives. The world's richest man in the world, what is he doing?" WKRC covers Cincinnati's protest, "Dozens of people gathered with signs in front of two Greater Cincinnati Tesla dealerships on Saturday. Protesters were at the Tesla dealership under construction on Ridge Road in Columbia Township, as well as at the Blue Ash Tesla dealership on Blue Ash Road." Also in Ohio, Baltimore saw protests. Daniel Zawodny (BALTIMORE BANNER) reports:
For more than two hours, the honking never stopped.
Scores of protestors — one organizer estimated the total at more than 600 people — lined both sides of Reisterstown Road just southeast of the Owings Mills Tesla dealership on Saturday to decry the company’s billionaire CEO, Elon Musk, and his unprecedented role in the federal government.
Shouts of “No oligarchs! No fascists!” came from the crowd, a mix of older and younger adults — even some parents with their children — most carrying signs denouncing Musk and President Donald Trump.
“I am outraged and appalled by what’s happening to our country,” Alan Cohen of Baltimore said. “I never thought we could go basically toward fascism. ... I want to do everything I can to stop this country from becoming authoritarian.”
The state of Washington saw protests at numerous cities. Caitlyn Freeman (SEATTLE TIMES) notes, "At the Tesla showroom in Seattle’s University Village, hundreds of people were chanting shortly after 10 a.m. Police had blocked vehicle traffic near the showroom, which is in the popular outdoor shopping mall." What were they chanting? "Dump Musk, dump Trump, give our country back to us!" KATU notes another Washington state protest, this one in Vancouver, which folded the Tesla protest in with their Rally For Science action where activists shined a light on the need to support DOGE targets of education and science.
Michigan? WWMT notes, "West Michigan joined a nationwide, nonviolent protest Saturday afternoon in response to Tesla CEO Elon Musk's role in American politics. Hundreds of 'Tesla Takedown' demonstrations are taking place over the country this weekend, including one in the Kalamazoo area and one in the Grand Rapids area." Josh Sanchez (WOOD TV) adds, "One of the organizers, Richard Sorgen, said the demonstration was not initially planned with the national protests in mind. He said while the Tesla footprint in the Kalamazoo area is smaller than other cities, the group’s goal remains the same" and quotes Richard defining the goal as, "To bring down the price of Tesla so that affects financially Musk's operations. The only way that we can affect Musk is to hurt him financially, just as he is hurting us financially."
Pennsylvania saw protests. Emily Neil (WHYY) notes over 400 people in Devon demonstrated and quotes Janet Gilbert:
I think that Elon Musk is a very negative influence for our country. I am horrified at the influence his money had on our elections,” she said. “He was basically bribing people in Pennsylvania to vote for Trump. He was running this lottery to bribe people to vote for Trump. And I think it really worked. I think it really got a lot of conservative young folk out to vote. And I don’t think that people with billions and billions of dollars should be able to have such an outsized influence on our democracy.
Still in Pennsylvania, Caitlynn Scott (WTAE) covers Bridgeville's protest and quotes Michael Earley stating, "Elon Musk is trying to destroy this country with what he's trying to do with DOGE, Social Security, and other things."
Virginia? Madie MacDonald (WAVY) notes Norfolk's protest and quotes Rebecca Head, "We just really wanted to be a part of the Tesla Takedown movement. I think our community is very directly impacted by this. They’re firing tons of federal workers, you know, taking a sledgehammer to our federal government. Many of whom are veterans. They’re gutting Veterans Affairs. And we’re standing here on Military Highway because this is, this is impacting our community directly."
FOX 10 NEWS covers Phoenix, Arizona and quotes Brent Peak, "Elon Musk claims that he is there for efficiency when, in actuality, he's taken that chainsaw instead of a scalpel to necessary services." In Jacksonville, Florida, protester Nancy Staats tells Hajah Bah (FIRST COAST NEWS), "This is not left and right. This is right and wrong, and you should not just go and dismantle things that have been put in place by Congress. It's just not right." Alan Shope (KMBC) reports on the protest in Kansa City.
New Jersey? Nicolas Fernandes (NJ.COM) explains:
Hundreds of people toting signs lined Route 70 in Cherry Hill Saturday to protest outside a Tesla dealership as part of the national movement nicknamed “Tesla Takedowns.”
The protest was another in the national movement that has emerged since President Donald Trump appointed Tesla CEO Elon Musk to lead the White House’s new Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE.
Some of the signs read “fire Musk,” “dump Elon” and “Trump picked Elon, not you.”
Missouri? FOX NEWS 2 reports:
The protest began around 10 a.m. and was held outside the Tesla Dealership at 5711 South Lindbergh Boulevard.
In South County, protestors were seen holding signs such as “Dump Tesla,” “Drive Tesla out of Biz,” “No one elected Musk,” and “Wake Up, America.”
Judayah Murray (FOX 5) noted two Georgia protests:
Just after 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, FOX 5 Atlanta cameras captured at least 40 people at the intersection of Briarcliff Road NE and Lavista Road in the North Druid Hills neighborhood of Atlanta.
"Honk if you hate Elon," one protester's signs read.
FOX 5 Anchor Tom Haynes ran into another protest outside a dealership in Decatur. Some of those protesters said they were also against the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). One man told Haynes he was uncomfortable with how much personal information he believes DOGE allows its head, Elon Musk, access to.
WHAM reports on the Henrietta, NY protest and quotes participant Heidi Kleiber explaining:
I think the man very dangerous for America. If you read everything about him, the man is a neo-Nazi. They are planning an oligarchy. They want to install a situation where corporations are running the show. They hurt everybody except for the extremely rich. If you're extremely rich, you weren't hurting to begin with, but you're going to be hurting a lot more people now so that they can be even more greedy.
Isaiah's THE WORLD TODAY JUST NUTS "Miss Sassy Transitioning to Miss Pussy?" went up Friday and his "Propaganda Pig" and "Mommy! Save Little Petey!" went up Thursday. The following sites updated:
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