On a bright morning in West London, around 30 protesters gathered outside a Tesla dealership. They were part of "Tesla Takedown UK," one of several groups opposing Elon Musk’s influence in politics. Inspired by protests in the U.S., this group is trying to "tank Tesla’s stock" and calls for a boycott of Musk’s company.
“It’s time to stop buying Tesla cars,” said Theodora Sutcliffe, 50, holding handmade signs. She believes U.S. foreign policy has become alarming. The protest was organized by John Gorenfeld, a 50-year-old software engineer, who got inspired after seeing demonstrations in the U.S. on social media.
Gorenfeld told The Independent, “We were waiting for someone to act. I saw what was happening in America and decided, ‘Why not in London?’”
In the U.S., protests against Musk have gained traction. President Donald Trump labeled the Tesla Takedown as “domestic terrorists” after many peaceful demonstrations occasionally turned violent. Musk, in turn, suggested that these protests were financed by his political adversaries.
A 24-year-old former National Parks employee joined the London protest to support his fellow protesters across the ocean. He was one of thousands laid off in Musk’s campaign against federal employees and expressed embarrassment over Musk’s actions in U.S. and European politics.
In addition to weekly protests, Tesla Takedown UK encourages Tesla owners to sell their vehicles and avoid Tesla charging stations. Meanwhile, another group called "Everybody Hates Elon" launched guerrilla advertisements with satirical messages across London.
Jack Steadman, a consultant behind a campaign group, said, “Elon Musk is fueling the far-right in both the U.S. and Europe.” They created eye-catching posters that criticized Musk’s political interventions.
Historically, the backlash against influential figures isn’t new. Celebrities, especially billionaires like Musk, have often faced public scrutiny for their political actions. Recent social media trends indicate that criticism of Musk isn’t just limited to protests—it’s also a topic of heated debate online, reflecting a wider discontent about how powerful individuals shape public policy.
In the UK, Tesla holds a mere 4.6% of the market share, far less than in the U.S. (42.5%). In February 2025 alone, nearly 4,000 Teslas were sold in the UK—numbers that activists aim to shrink. Since reaching a peak of $1.5 trillion in December 2023, Tesla’s market capitalization has plummeted by 45%, indicating an increase in public sentiment against Musk.
Musk’s weakness may lie in his company’s sales. As activists strive to connect Tesla with his political views, their aim is clear: to reduce Musk’s power by hitting his sales. Whether their efforts will be successful remains to be seen as this movement continues to grow.
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