Hundreds gather outside Tesla showroom, voicing concerns over Musk's influence on democracy.
On April 5, 2025, a significant protest took place outside a
Tesla showroom in Berlin, where hundreds of demonstrators expressed their opposition to
Elon Musk, the CEO of
Tesla and SpaceX.
The demonstration was organized under the campaign name #TeslaTakedown, aggregating support from various activist groups including Campact, Fridays for Future, and the coalition known as '
Tesla den Hahn abdrehen.' Police estimates placed the number of participants at approximately 250, while organizers contended that the turnout was in the hundreds.
The protest aimed to draw attention to perceived threats against democratic structures attributed to Musk's actions.
A representative from the organizing coalition, Caro Weber, stated, '
Elon Musk must not be allowed to continue undermining democratic structures unchecked.' The event featured various placards, including one that depicted Musk in a manner that some associated with a gesture reminiscent of a salute linked to Adolf Hitler.
Authorities in Berlin are currently assessing whether this portrayal could result in legal repercussions.
The opposition to Musk has heightened following his advisory role during the tenure of former U.S. President
Donald Trump.
Musk played a pivotal role in advising on budgetary matters, leading to significant government spending cuts that were executed without an explicit political mandate, fostering dissent among specific activist factions.
The #TeslaTakedown campaign has garnered international support, prompting organized calls for boycotts and protests at
Tesla locations across multiple countries.
Demonstrators in Berlin articulated their concerns regarding Musk's influence, suggesting that his actions represent a broader assault on democratic values.