Protests against Elon Musk's Government Role Spread Nationwide

Nationwide protests erupted on February 15, 2025, against Elon Musk, particularly focusing on his role as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under President Donald Trump. Demonstrators expressed concerns over what they perceive as Musk's 'unchecked and unregulated power' in influencing government operations without being an elected official. Protests occurred at multiple Tesla locations, including significant gatherings in Berkeley, Lyndhurst, and New York City, where participants carried signs condemning Musk's influence and demanding accountability. Critics argue that Musk's initiatives, aimed at cutting federal spending, threaten transparency and access to sensitive government data. Organizers of the protests, dubbed #TeslaTakeover, highlighted Musk's growing political presence and his ties to Trump as reasons for their demonstrations. Musk, who serves without pay, has defended his work as necessary to eliminate waste in government spending.