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- Celebrities, politicians, and activists are protesting Tesla and Elon Musk. Figures like Senator Mark Kelly and actor Jason Bateman are publicly denouncing Musk’s political influence.
- Musk faces backlash for his role in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has proposed contentious policies, including labeling Social Security a “Ponzi scheme.”
- While the movement grows, critics warn against escalating rhetoric and violence, with incidents like arson at Tesla dealerships drawing condemnation from both supporters and opponents.
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Elon Musk is facing mounting criticism as Tesla Takedown protests gain traction. The movement, which includes celebrities, politicians, and activists, is calling for boycotts and demonstrations against Tesla and its CEO.
Senator Mark Kelly (D-Arizona) is among the latest to take a stand. In a viral video on X, he announced that he was getting rid of his Tesla. Senator Kelly said that driving it now feels like promoting Musk’s political agenda.
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Kelly joins figures like actor Jason Bateman, who compared owning a Tesla to driving around with a “Trump sticker.” Singer Sheryl Crow also sold hers, citing her disapproval of Musk’s alignment with Donald Trump.
Mark Kelly criticizes Musk over government policies
Kelly’s criticism goes beyond Tesla. He accused Musk of pushing policies that hurt vulnerable populations.
His concerns stem from Musk’s role in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has proposed controversial policies, including labeling Social Security a “Ponzi scheme.”
A federal judge in Maryland recently blocked DOGE’s attempt to access sensitive Social Security data, citing privacy concerns.
Celebrities and politicians back Tesla Takedown
The Tesla Takedown movement is rapidly gaining supporters. Representative Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas), actors Alex Winter and John Cusack, and thousands of online activists have rallied behind it.
The group is planning 500 demonstrations at Tesla showrooms and Supercharger stations on March 29.
During a virtual rally with 2,800 attendees, Crockett made her stance clear:
“On March 29, it’s my birthday, and all I want to see happen on my birthday is for Elon to be taken down.”
Meanwhile, a Tesla Takedown organizer told Fortune that their ultimate goal is to “bankrupt Elon Musk.”
Cusack also attacked Musk during the rally, calling him a “sociopath and a ghoul.”
Criticism grows over Tesla Takedown protests
Despite its momentum, the movement has drawn criticism. Some argue that boycotting Tesla won’t change Musk’s influence, while others warn against escalating rhetoric and actions.
Political strategist Rick Wilson, co-founder of The Lincoln Project, was suspended from X after posting “Kill Tesla, Save The Country.” His post quickly went viral before the platform permanently banned his account.
Tesla supporters say the protests have gone too far. Three protesters were charged with arson at Tesla dealerships and Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi calls the acts “nothing short of domestic terrorism.”
Vice President J.D. Vance condemned the violence, calling it an intimidation tactic against Trump supporters.
“The people attacking Teslas are trying to send the message that if you support President Trump, they will commit acts of violence to try to intimidate you,” Vance posted on X.
Schumer and Van Hollen take aim at Musk
Not all critics focused on Tesla itself. Senators Chuck Schumer and Chris Van Hollen, along with Rep. Maxine Waters, have voiced concerns about Musk’s growing political influence.
Schumer compared DOGE’s leadership style to an authoritarian power grab, saying:
“If the Founding Fathers were to be like DOGE, a small group of them would get together and dictate what should’ve been done in America. They didn’t. They set up a Congress.”
Musk’s daughter speaks out against him
Even Musk’s family has distanced themselves. His transgender daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, criticized him in a Teen Vogue interview Thursday.
She called Musk a “pathetic man-child” and said she no longer wants to be associated with him. While Musk hasn’t directly responded to her interview, he posted multiple times about transgender issues after publication, including a claim that trans activists are setting Teslas on fire.
[Kennedy Felton]
U.S. Senator Mark Kelly is on the growing list of high-profile Tesla defectors – including celebrities, elites, and political leaders. He joins people like actor Jason Bateman, who said last October he got rid of his Tesla because it feels like he was “driving around in a Trump sticker.” Singer Sheryl Crow also sold hers, citing her disapproval with the Trump administration and Elon Musk.
Kelly made the announcement recently, writing that driving a Tesla now feels like being a “rollin billboard” for someone he believes is “dismantling the government and hurting people.” He elaborated: “Talking about slashing SS, cutting health care benefits for poor ppl, for seniors…”
As it relates to his Social Security comment, Kelly’s concern centers around recent policy moves linked to Musk’s role in the Department of Government Efficiency – known as DOGE. The agency labeled Social Security a “Ponzi scheme” and pushed for major reforms. DOGE recently attempted to access sensitive Social Security data, but a federal judge in Maryland blocked that request, citing privacy and procedural concerns.
Meanwhile, Representative Jasmine Crockett joins actors Alex Winter and John Cusack in backing the Tesla Takedown movement – a grassroots protest effort aimed squarely at Musk. The group is currently planning a worldwide protest on March 29th, calling for 500 demonstrations at Tesla showrooms and Supercharger stations.
A recent virtual rally hosted by Tesla Takedown drew more than 2,800 attendees. Representative Jasmine Crockett was among the speakers, stating: “On March 29, it’s my birthday, and all I want to see happen on my birthday is for Elon Musk to be taken down. Yes!” Cusack also spoke during the rally, calling Musk a “sociopath and a ghoul.”
But while Musk’s critics are making their voices heard, not everyone is on board with the movement. Some have accused Tesla Takedown organizers of being performative, arguing that targeting Musk and his company is ineffective.
Despite Tesla Takedown’s stated commitment to peaceful protest, not everyone is keeping it civil. Three protestors were charged with arson after allegedly setting Tesla vehicles on fire at dealerships. Attorney General Pam Bondi says the recent arson attacks are “nothing short of domestic terrorism” and promises severe charges against those targeting Tesla.
In response, Vice President J.D. Vance condemned the violence, stating: “The people attacking Teslas are trying to send the message that if you support President Trump, they will commit acts of violence to try to intimidate you. Our message to them? Terrorists in this country will be brought to justice.”
Aside from physical protests, another wave of Tesla critics can be found on social media. Rick Wilson, co-founder of The Lincoln Project, says his account was suspended after posting the slogan “Kill Tesla, Save The Country.” The suspension was later upgraded to a full ban for violating platform policy.
And while not all are protesting Tesla directly, Democrats like Senators Chuck Schumer, Chris Van Hollen, and Maxine Waters have voiced their opposition to Musk’s growing political influence. Schumer compared DOGE’s leadership style to an authoritarian power grab, emphasizing: “If the Founding Fathers were to be like DOGE, a small group of them would get together and dictate what should’ve been done in America. They didn’t. They set up a Congress.”
Even within Musk’s own family, tensions are being made public. Vivian Jenna Wilson, Musk’s transgender daughter, criticized him in a recent interview, calling him a “pathetic man-child” and expressing her desire to distance herself from him. Musk has not publicly addressed her comments but has posted multiple times about transgender issues, including claims that activists are setting Teslas on fire.
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