A protester and a Tesla Cybertruck driver argue at a protest outside a Tesla showroom in Columbus, Ohio, on Saturday. Bloomberg
A protester and a Tesla Cybertruck driver argue at a protest outside a Tesla showroom in Columbus, Ohio, on Saturday. Bloomberg
A protester and a Tesla Cybertruck driver argue at a protest outside a Tesla showroom in Columbus, Ohio, on Saturday. Bloomberg
A protester and a Tesla Cybertruck driver argue at a protest outside a Tesla showroom in Columbus, Ohio, on Saturday. Bloomberg

Protesters target Tesla in US, Europe and Canada over Musk's Doge role


Adla Massoud
  • English
  • Arabic

Thousands of demonstrators descended on Tesla dealerships in the US, Europe and Canada on Saturday to protest against the company's co-founder Elon Musk, who has gained significant influence as a senior adviser to US President Donald Trump.

Mr Musk, one of the richest men in the world, has led efforts to cut government spending and jobs through the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), an agency established after Mr Trump returned to power.

Mr Musks's aggressive policy agenda includes major budget cuts to the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the Department of Education and the National Park Service.

Protesters show their opposition to Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency. AFP
Protesters show their opposition to Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency. AFP

Despite reports of thousands of job cuts, Mr Musk said on Thursday that “almost no one has got fired" from the government.

Investors have been dumping stocks in Tesla since the beginning of the year, as demand for its electric cars declines amid the arrival of cheaper alternatives on the market and protests over Mr Musk's political statements. The company's shares have lost about a fifth of their value so far in 2025.

Tesla, once celebrated as an innovative car maker, has become a target for vandalism and violent demonstrations.

Organisers of the latest protests urged participants to boycott Tesla products, divest from its stock and join the “Tesla takedown” movement. Demonstrators held signs bearing messages including “hurting Tesla is stopping Musk” and “stopping Musk will help save lives and our democracy".

Tesla and its founder Elon Musk have become targets for protesters in North America and Europe. AFP
Tesla and its founder Elon Musk have become targets for protesters in North America and Europe. AFP

In New York City, hundreds gathered outside the Tesla showroom in Manhattan. “He acts like he's the vice president,” said protester Eva Mueller. “He's dismantling, actively, our government, he's dismantling our democracy.”

In Washington's upmarket Georgetown neighbourhood, about 150 protesters danced and cheered as passing motorists honked their horns. Protests also took place in Florida, Massachusetts and California, as well as in European cities including London, Berlin and Paris.

A small group of US citizens held signs outside a Tesla dealership in Paris, including one that read: “Send Musk to Mars now.”

About 100 people protested outside a Tesla dealership in the Canadian city of Vancouver. Among them was a person in a dinosaur costume, who held a placard that said: “You thought the Nazis were extinct? Don't buy a 'Swasticar'.”

It comes amid weeks of vandalism against Tesla vehicles, dealerships and other sites linked to the company, in protest against Mr Musk's job cuts and opposition to his involvement in political matters.

On Friday, New York Police were searching for two people suspected of carving a swastika on a parked Tesla Cybertruck in Brooklyn. The FBI has launched a task force to stop attacks on Tesla, acts that the agency designated as “domestic terrorism.”

Hundreds protest against Tesla founder Elon Musk in New York City. Reuters
Hundreds protest against Tesla founder Elon Musk in New York City. Reuters
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
 
Started: 2021
 
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
 
Based: Tunisia 
 
Sector: Water technology 
 
Number of staff: 22 
 
Investment raised: $4 million 
UAE v Gibraltar

What: International friendly

When: 7pm kick off

Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City

Admission: Free

Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page

UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3ECompany%20name%3A%20CarbonSifr%3Cbr%3EStarted%3A%202022%3Cbr%3EBased%3A%20Dubai%3Cbr%3EFounders%3A%20Onur%20Elgun%2C%20Mustafa%20Bosca%20and%20Muhammed%20Yildirim%3Cbr%3ESector%3A%20Climate%20tech%3Cbr%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%241%20million%20raised%20in%20seed%20funding%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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5pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (Dirt) 1,000m, Winner: Hazeem Al Raed, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ahmed Al Shemaili (trainer)

5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 85,000 (D) 1,000m, Winner: Ghazwan Al Khalediah, Hugo Lebouc, Helal Al Alawi

6pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,400m, Winner: Dinar Al Khalediah, Patrick Cosgrave, Helal Al Alawi.

6.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,600m, Winner: Faith And Fortune, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.

7pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,600m, Winner: Only Smoke, Bernardo Pinheiro, Abdallah Al Hammadi.

7.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,600m, Winner: AF Ramz, Saif Al Balushi, Khalifa Al Neyadi.

8pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 2,000m, Winner: AF Mass, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel.

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

 

Avengers: Endgame

Directors: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo

Starring: Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth, Josh Brolin

4/5 stars 

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

TO A LAND UNKNOWN

Director: Mahdi Fleifel

Starring: Mahmoud Bakri, Aram Sabbah, Mohammad Alsurafa

Rating: 4.5/5

What is dialysis?

Dialysis is a way of cleaning your blood when your kidneys fail and can no longer do the job.

It gets rid of your body's wastes, extra salt and water, and helps to control your blood pressure. The main cause of kidney failure is diabetes and hypertension.

There are two kinds of dialysis — haemodialysis and peritoneal.

In haemodialysis, blood is pumped out of your body to an artificial kidney machine that filter your blood and returns it to your body by tubes.

In peritoneal dialysis, the inside lining of your own belly acts as a natural filter. Wastes are taken out by means of a cleansing fluid which is washed in and out of your belly in cycles.

It isn’t an option for everyone but if eligible, can be done at home by the patient or caregiver. This, as opposed to home haemodialysis, is covered by insurance in the UAE.

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1987

1954

1921

1888

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

UAE squad to face Ireland

Ahmed Raza (captain), Chirag Suri (vice-captain), Rohan Mustafa, Mohammed Usman, Mohammed Boota, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Waheed Ahmad, Zawar Farid, CP Rizwaan, Aryan Lakra, Karthik Meiyappan, Alishan Sharafu, Basil Hameed, Kashif Daud, Adithya Shetty, Vriitya Aravind

The%20Killer
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The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

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Founder: Ahmed Wadi

Launched: 2016

Employees: 76

Financing stage: Series A ($4 million)

Investors: Partech, Sawari Ventures, 500 Startups, Dubai Angel Investors, Phoenician Fund

Updated: March 31, 2025, 4:04 AM`