photos courtesy of Boyd Loving
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Paramus, NJ, tensions flared over the weekend as protesters gathered outside the Tesla dealership on Route 17, calling for change amid growing opposition to CEO Elon Musk’s political affiliations. The demonstration was part of a broader movement against Musk’s involvement in Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has drawn sharp criticism from environmental and labor activists.
Trump’s ‘Drain the Swamp’ Message Still Strong Among Voters
While Tesla faces backlash, former President Donald Trump’s call to “drain the swamp” remains popular with voters. According to a new Rasmussen Reports national survey:
✔ 66% of likely voters agree that it’s time to clear out Washington bureaucracy
✔ 44% strongly agree with Trump’s statement
✔ Only 25% disagree, with 14% strongly opposing
Trump’s message continues to resonate nationwide, as voters express frustration with government inefficiency.
Why Are Tesla Protests Escalating?
The Tesla backlash isn’t just limited to Paramus—protests have erupted across the U.S. and internationally in cities like New York, Portland, Barcelona, and London. Demonstrators are calling out Musk’s role in shaping government policies, particularly his impact on labor rights and environmental regulations.
🔹 Chants at NYC protests: “We need clean air, not another billionaire.”
🔹 Portland demonstrators: “Elon Musk has got to go.”
🔹 Signs spotted at Tesla showrooms: “Send Musk to Mars Now!!”
Vandalism and Violence Target Tesla Locations
As tensions rise, vandals have targeted Tesla showrooms and charging stations:
🚗 Oregon: Gunshots damaged Tesla vehicles and showroom windows
🔥 Massachusetts: Charging stations were set on fire, creating heavy smoke
💥 France: A fire destroyed 12 Teslas at a dealership in Toulouse, prompting an investigation
The Tesla Takedown movement, which encourages people to sell their Teslas, dump their stock, and join protests, has gained traction worldwide.
Musk Blames Billionaire Opponents
In response to the protests, Elon Musk has pointed fingers at billionaires George Soros, Reid Hoffman, and organizations like ActBlue.
Tesla Sales Declining in Europe
The controversy surrounding Musk’s political ties has taken a toll on Tesla’s business.
📉 Germany & France: Tesla sales are dropping as consumers distance themselves from Musk’s political stance
📉 Investor Concerns: Stockholders worry about how the political firestorm could impact Tesla’s global reputation
The Bigger Picture: Politics & Business Collide
Elon Musk’s involvement in Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency has placed him at the center of political debates, impacting both his public image and Tesla’s brand.
With protests intensifying and sales slipping, the question remains: Can Tesla weather the political storm, or will Musk’s affiliations continue to spark backlash?
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These assholes slowed down traffic on Rt 17
I drove by and gave them the finger
Wow. You are classy. I bet you make your mother proud.
Mom is very proud that I am not a pathetic misinformed protester
Tesla ad campaigns are getting a little extreme but whatever works.
Trump won in a landslide with the vast majority of voters choosing him, and he is doing crazy, unthinkable things like securing the Southern boarder in under two weeks, prosecuting criminals, making American cities safe again and cutting fraud, waste and abuse of our tax dollars.
What are these stupid people protesting? I’m no political operative, but it looks like the dumb-o-craps are going to campaign on bringing back that good fraud, filling the swamp and making Mexican cartels great again. This, to me, looks a lot like the same platform that lost these idiots the election last time. If they want to ever win in the future maybe they should try something different.
You should read Mark Twain’s WAR PRAYER about the folly of asking for what you want.
These people don’t realize the consequential effects of them getting what they want. Like the cessation of related research, people losing their jobs, etc.
Musk’s hubris may meet Nemesis someday, but it shouldn’t be over this.
News flash….. there was no landslide.
wrong
they look like escapees from a psych ward
anti-Americanism on full display
these people are “special”
Brave anonymous poster did you know that being “special” or having a disability is an inescapable fact of the human condition. You too – to use your loathsome reference – will be “special” one day if you live long enough. Aside from engaging in peaceful protest in support of the principles, our nation was founded on, I am also a staunch anti-ablest. and disability allu
Yeah, you’re against anything normal and healthy. We heard you. You’re literally against being “able” because you like watching your slaves hobble. You’re Kathy Bates in Misery.
Musk was a hero before the election to the liberal asses. Now he’s the enemy.
Correct. And before he hitched his wagon to the Trump train, the conservatives hated Musk for being an awkward weirdo with a dozen weird kids with strings of numbers for names, sired by IVF with half a dozen different mothers, all the while gobbling up billions in government subsidies for his crappy cars and crappy rockets, and mumbling about digital gods and living on Mars. Now he grandstands in the Oval Office while his kid literally wipes his nose on the president’s desk and republicans can’t get enough.
You know what is amazing that the town of Paramus is alone all these people stand on the curb line on route 17 in front of the guard rail. What bullshit, if you and I were walking up 17 Holden an American flag in the middle of the night believe me you’ll have three cops around you Especially those Cowboys and Paramus. How is this allowed? They are causing a traffic distraction.
I I am with one of the organizing events for the group. I attended the entire 90 minutes. I was one of the two individuals who spoke to the Paramus police when they arrived. Let’s set a few things straight: 1) we were on public property, the event had been called into the Paramus police beforehand, and we were properly exercising our First Amendment rights. 2) of those cars we could gauge reactions to. I can honestly say the vast majority 75% or so were extremely positive. You could see on their faces a look of relief they pumped their fists. They gave us high-fives and the trucks honked their lovely loud horns in support. The haters like those on these comments were few and far between.3) tesla had called the police because one or two individuals had for no more than a minute or two gone behind the steel barrier as a way to move around the line. Another organizer and I continually surveyed the group to ensure that they stayed in the property that we knew was public and on which we were allowed to be. As for how we looked, I would rather be a Zelensky then the Maga reporter who asked him why he wasn’t wearing a suit.
Finally !!! A protest both libs and conservatives can agree on !!! We all hate electric vehicles too 🙂 🙂
I am the owner of a Chevy Bolt electric vehicle that I love. A Tesla was too expensive for me, and I didn’t like some of the “features”. But it does have better charging than my Bolt, even with a NACS (Tesla) adapter.
My problem is with Musk, who has never invented anything himself, but knows very well how to exploit others’ inventions. Now he is also the enabler of the destruction of US supremacy in science as well as democracy.
do it in the summer and i hope tesla turns on the lawn sprinklers
you people need a cold shower to wake up
Karen, talk is cheap. I love your heroic acting. If you feel so strong about zelensky you and your group and possibly family as well should go over to ukraine and really put your $ where your mouth is. You can definitely make a difference. Will you Karen? I am sure a gofundme can be setup to contribute for your plane tickets.
Save the world Karen. We will hold the fort here for you.
Karen,
The Constitution affords us the right to protest peacefully. So, you’re well within your right. But, do you honestly believe that you are going to effect any soft of *meaningful* change with these protests? Protesting in front of Tesla is kind of silly. Are you angry that Elon is ramming through the kind of change that our bloated government so desperately needs? If you want to effect meaningful change, then perhaps protest in front of the White House or Congress – where it would actually matter.
The American people elected President Trump (and, by extension, whatever cabinet and advisors he puts together). The haters need to deal with it for 4 more years.
As an independent (who didnd’t vote for Trump), I like (and respect) what this administration is doing. From what I’ve seen, they have:
1) secured the Southern boarder (much needed!)
2) targeted waste and fraud in our government (not sure why the taxpayers are funding research for transgender mice in Africa)
3) targeted woke agendas (e.g. men participating in womens’ sprorts – why?)
The Left is beside itself right now. The faster they “get with the program”, the faster this country comes together and moves forward.
~Jason
P.S.: Trump’s playbook for beating Hillary in ’16 was the same as it was in ’24. The Dems learned absolutely nothing and it cost them dearly (again).
Looks up Karen (of course) Bonuck…..and it checks out. Why do they all look like that?
Extreme population bottlenecking elevated to a religious fervor.
Typical delusional liberal ass. 75 percent of the people are not with you. They were flipping you off, not showing support. Your party has no message, no leader and no clue. But hey keep it up, you have a midterm election to lose. Stay right on whatever message you think you have, so your ilk can’t ruin our country any more than you already have for the last 4 years.
I do not see a Vineyard Vines vest on any of those granolas. Ill bet it smells.
Wonder why Karen is so upset about cutting fat that is wasting taxpayer money while our government is trillions in debt? Would she perhaps be the beneficiary of taxpayer funds for some frivolous pet project?
You just cannot make this stuff up. This has it all…just incredible. I am so glad this is all ending.
Karen Bonuck conducts research on pediatric sleep and parent-child interventions. Currently, she is the lead investigator for an NIH-funded study, “Increasing Sleep Health Literacy in Head Start: A Social-Ecological Approach.” This study aims to empower families in early childhood programs with the knowledge and self-management skills needed to obtain healthy sleep via interpersonal, organizational, community, and policy level interventions. A stepped wedge cluster randomized trial in Head Start will test effects upon child, parent, and classroom outcomes; a policy evaluation will assess the impact of knowledge translation strategies. She is also the co-primary investigator for a study, Obesity and Caries in Young South Asian Children: Common Risk Factor Approach.”
Upset because she’s a parasite and the host is getting wise. And I wouldn’t trust her around sleeping children.
Sounds like those “studies” and “research” are being cut too.
Karen’s gonna be on the curb a lot longer soon.
Domestic Terrorists !
Big Pro-Elon, Pro-Tesla, Pro- Trump demonstration at Tesla Paramus today!!!
Wait, is it a rally or is it a recall party? I thought the letters weren’t going out until May.
But will it be seen anywhere but here?
Looks like it was in the Wretched today.
Apparently at the Paramus and Eatontown locations, the Pro Trump/Musk groups were much larger than those in opposition. And the Pro groups were much better behaved.