Join Ed Niedermeyer, journalist and author of "Ludicrous: The Unvarnished Story of Tesla Motors," and Laura Starr, organizer of the Tesla Takedown protests in California. They dive into the grassroots movement rising against Tesla dealerships, fueled by frustrations over Elon Musk's political connections. Niedermeyer shares insights on how these protests could impact Tesla’s bottom line, while Starr highlights the community mobilization and the deeply personal motivations behind the protests. It's a compelling conversation on reclaiming civic space and collective action.
The Tesla Takedown protests highlight grassroots resistance against the political influence of Elon Musk and Donald Trump in America.
Protesters are utilizing Tesla dealerships, often located in car-dominated environments, to reclaim public space for civic engagement and expression.
The movement emphasizes a joyful, non-violent approach to activism, aiming to attract a broad demographic and foster constructive dialogue with the community.
Deep dives
The Emergence of Tesla Takedown Protests
A grassroots protest movement, known as Tesla Takedown, has emerged across the United States, drawing attention to the political alliances of Elon Musk and Donald Trump. Participants gather at Tesla dealerships to voice their frustrations over perceived governmental decay linked to the influence of these figures. Many protesters express a sentiment of empowerment, noting the importance of taking visible action against what they perceive as threats to democracy. This movement offers a chance for individuals to unite against a political landscape that often feels overwhelming and unmanageable.
Civil Infrastructure Limits Protests
The design of American cities prioritizes car travel, leading to a scarcity of public spaces for civic engagement and protest. Unlike protests in urban centers like Tahrir Square or Maidan, the decentralized nature of the Tesla protests takes place in areas heavily dominated by automotive infrastructure. This shift illustrates how urban planning can inadvertently suppress the ability for collective action and assembly. Participants in the Tesla Takedown movement navigate this environment, creatively utilizing dealership locations as sites for their demonstrations.
The Power of Peaceful Protest
The Tesla Takedown protests have largely been peaceful, with a festive atmosphere despite occasional confrontations. While isolated incidents of vandalism at Tesla properties have led to threats of prosecution as domestic terrorism, the bulk of protests focus on expressing dissent in non-violent ways. Organizers emphasize the importance of maintaining a joyful environment to attract a broader demographic and dismantle negative perceptions. This approach aims to engage the community in a positive dialogue about their grievances against the Trump-Musk alliance.
Personal Motivation for Activism
The participants in the protests often come from backgrounds that reflect the traditional suburban community, seeking to make their voices heard against unfavorable political shifts. Many express that their past efforts, like postcard campaigns, feel inadequate in the face of the looming threats to democracy. This realization has motivated individuals to take more direct action, exemplifying a transition from passive to active resistance. Activism, for many, has become a personal journey to ensure that they can demonstrate their commitment to future generations.
A New Route to Political Power
The Tesla Takedown movement represents a shift in how individuals can affect political change beyond conventional methods like voting or lobbying. Participants recognize their collective power in organizing protests at unexpected locations, like dealership fronts, while leveraging social media for outreach and coordination. This tactic aims to create visibility and stigmatize brands associated with negative political influence, thereby impacting the behavior of potential consumers. The growing coalition of diverse individuals united by a common cause exemplifies the potential for non-traditional political actions to catalyze widespread engagement and community building.
Since early February, a protest phenomenon has been building steadily across the United States, springing up at scores of Tesla dealerships from coast to coast. Organizers call it Tesla Takedown. It's remarkable in part because in today’s United States, we have engineered an environment that prioritizes automotive convenience and speed—and in the process deadens civic life and makes protest difficult. So it’s ironic that Tesla dealerships, many of them located in the worst kind of automotive sprawl, have emerged as crucial nodes in a decentralized network of resistance to Elon Musk and Donald Trump.
In this episode, we talk to participants and organizers about what is motivating them. We also caught up with journalist Ed Niedermeyer, return guest of The War on Cars and author of Ludicrous: The Unvarnished Story of Tesla Motors, about what effect this could have on Tesla’s bottom line, and why it’s an effective tactic to weaken the hold that the world’s richest man, Elon Musk, has on the United States government.
Note: This episode was recorded before the huge Hands Off protests of April 5th, 2025. Clearly, American protesters are starting to find their voice, and their space.
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This episode was produced with the generous support of the Helen & William Mazer Foundation.
This episode was also supported by Cleverhood. Listen to the episode for the latest discount on the best and most stylish rain gear for walking and cycling.
This episode was edited by Ali Lemer. It was recorded by Justin Fernandez at the Brooklyn Podcasting Studio. Our theme music is by Nathaniel Goodyear. Transcripts are by Russell Gragg.
