Protests against Elon Musk’s purge of US government swarm Tesla showrooms

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🗞️ Driving the news: Mass protests erupted at Tesla dealerships across the US and parts of Europe on Saturday, targeting Elon Musk over his role as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under President Trump
• Demonstrators criticised Musk’s influence in dismantling US government agencies and access to sensitive data
• The campaign, dubbed Tesla Takedown, marked its largest coordinated action, surrounding all 277 US Tesla showrooms and service centres

🔭 The context: Musk’s appointment to DOGE has sparked controversy over his sweeping role in slashing federal institutions and reshaping public governance
• The protests follow months of growing discontent, with activists, celebrities, and lawmakers rallying against Musk's increasing political power
• Previous demonstrations were scattered, but this marks a significant escalation in scale and intensity

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Tesla (See sustainability performance), once a symbol of green innovation, now faces reputational challenges that could erode trust in the EV sector
• Political backlash risks deterring sustainable investment and undermining public perception of clean tech as apolitical
• The controversy illustrates the fragile link between corporate sustainability and executive conduct

⏭️ What's next: While Musk projects confidence in Tesla’s future, analysts warn of ongoing reputational damage and investor uncertainty
• Protests may continue globally, and further acts of vandalism could provoke legal crackdowns
• The company’s ability to separate its green mission from political entanglements will be critical

💬 One quote: "We’re living in a fascist state, and we need to stop this or we’ll lose our whole country and everything that is good about the United States." – Dennis Fagaly, protester in Berkeley, California

📈 One stat: Tesla sales in Europe fell by 49%, despite overall EV market growth

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