Latest news with #TeslaTakedown
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Automotive
- The Guardian
‘We got a lot of honks in solidarity': anti-Musk protests ripple at LA's Tesla Diner
Elon Musk's 'retro-futuristic' Tesla Diner in Hollywood has become a new flashpoint for the 'Tesla Takedown' movement, with dozens of protesters picketing the diner last weekend alongside inflatable tube figures of Musk performing a Nazi salute. The viral popularity of the new diner, which is surrounded by 80 Tesla charging stations and two giant movie screens, has sparked out-the-door lines, massive traffic jams, and two angry protests, all within its first week of operation. Organizers say they are protesting against what they see as the Tesla CEO's corrosive effect on US democracy, as well as the human cost of the sweeping government cuts he spearheaded while working within the Trump administration earlier this year. For months, protesters who oppose the billionaire's political power have demonstrated outside of Tesla showrooms across the US and the world, hoping that by applying pressure to Tesla, a publicly-traded company, the Tesla Takedown movement can have an impact on Musk's behavior. 'Musk thought [the diner] would be good for him, but it's actually great for anti-Tesla protesters as well, to give us increased visibility,' said Joel Lava, who has been organizing weekly Tesla Takedown protests outside a Tesla service station in Burbank, California. Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Though Musk has officially left his role within the Trump administration, and has since publicly feuded with the president, the devastating effects of his so-called 'department of government efficiency' (Doge) live on, Lava said. Lava cited recent reports that the US had thrown away nearly 500 metric tons of emergency food aid this spring, in the wake of Doge's dismantling of the US Agency for International Development (USAID). Global health officials have also said Musk's budget-cutting efforts have thrown global HIV prevention efforts, including the rollout of a new 'miracle' drug, into chaos. There are hometown considerations, as well, Lava added: Musk has a history of anti-trans comments, and the diner is right on the border of West Hollywood, one of LA's historic LGBTQ+ neighborhoods. Protesters outside the Hollywood diner last weekend carried signs reading 'Fuck Nazi Billionaires' and 'Boycott Tesla'. 'We WILL NOT REST until the world has internalized the truth that TESLA FUNDS FASCISM,' organizers wrote in a post advertising the demonstrations, which one Los Angeles organizer estimated attracted about 100 people on Saturday, and about 85 on Sunday. A Los Angeles police spokesperson described the two demonstrations in Hollywood as 'peaceful protests'. Social media video of the diner demonstrations showed a few apparent Musk supporters yelling at protesters, including one young man caught on video describing himself as 'a proud fascist'. Dave, a Los Angeles-based Tesla Takedown organizer, said a few drivers of newer Teslas and Cybertrucks around the diner had screamed at the protesters, and 'there were some people who were doing the Sieg Heil [salute]'. At least one Cybertruck driver had gotten out of his vehicle to confront protesters, Dave said. The organizer asked not to be identified by his full name because he feared that protesting against Musk might affect his employment opportunities. Other Tesla fans waiting in line outside the diner simply seemed confused by the political rhetoric, Dave said, and other people driving by the diner were audibly supportive. 'We got a lot of honks and fist-pumps in solidarity, and many of those were even from Tesla drivers themselves – especially the people driving the older models of Teslas,' he said. Since it opened at 4.20pm last Monday, the diner has attracted Musk fans from across southern California, as well as curious tourists. At about midday on Wednesday last week, many fans in line had brought children with them, and some said that their kids were especially excited to see Musk's diner, which they had heard about on TikTok or YouTube. One Tesla Diner customer told the LA Public Press on Saturday that the protesters' comparisons of Musk to a Nazi did not make sense to him. 'If he's a fascist, who has he killed?' the man asked. 'Nazis kill people, from what I understand.' Dave, the Tesla Takedown organizer, said the demonstrators were considering more protests outside the diner, but that the group has already received at least one social media threat that they will be assaulted if they protest again next weekend. Asked about those threatening social media posts, which came from an anonymous pro-Musk Bluesky account, an LAPD spokesperson said the department was not currently aware of 'any specific threat'. For Angelenos who live in the neighborhood surrounding Musk's new diner, its sudden popularity has sparked a litany of complaints. Local news outlets have reported that neighborhood residents have complained of the chaos and traffic it has brought to the neighborhood, including 'insane gridlock from 1pm to 1 am', and concerns about the giant movie screens blocking the view from nearby apartments. 'If you can send people to Mars, you should be able to figure out how to make this doable for residents,' one resident told ABC7 News.
New York Post
4 days ago
- Automotive
- New York Post
Tesla protesters take aim at Musk's retro-style diner with Nazi-styled balloons — even as lines stretch around the block
After tossing Molotov cocktails at vehicles and vandalizing showrooms, Tesla protesters are now taking aim at Elon Musk's retro-futuristic diner near Hollywood — even as lines of customers wrap around the block. Tall inflatable balloons designed to look like Musk, in Tesla-branded T-shirts and black MAGA hats, mimicked the Nazi salute while protesters chanted: 'Hey hey, ho ho, Elon Musk has got to go!' In videos posted to social media, one demonstrator can be seen splayed across the front of a Cybertruck and flipping the bird in an attempt to deter customers from driving into the diner's parking lot. Advertisement 4 Protesters outside the Tesla diner on Sunday. Fans of Musk showed up in full force, too, with one customer on YouTube claiming he waited 11 hours for the restaurant to open. Easily more than 20 vehicles can be seen backed up around the block in a video online as customers waited to order, while reports from last week described lines at least 100 people long. Advertisement For months, Musk has faced outrage from protesters at Tesla dealerships across the country following his severe government funding cuts. About 75 protesters gathered on Saturday at the 24-hour Tesla diner, which abruptly opened last week after years of Musk touting his vision for an 'old school drive-in, roller skates & rock restaurant.' Electric-vehicle charging stations wrap around the parking lot of the Tesla diner, which has a front door that looks like a glowing portal and neon red stripes atop the building. Advertisement 4 Elon Musk's Tesla diner abruptly opened last week. GC Images Tesla's Optimus humanoid robots filled cartons with fresh popcorn at the opening, while customers were served burgers in Cybertruck boxes and $12 maple-glazed bacon. There's a wraparound balcony on the top deck of the diner with tables and chairs where customers can enjoy dinner and a movie, as a large screen in the parking lot plays full-length films each night. Advertisement But protesters are hopeful that the buzz around the diner and drive-in theater will die down. 'This is the world's most renowned anti-trans advocate who just opened a diner in West Hollywood. The community is not very supportive of Elon,' Joel Lava, who led the protests at the diner, told CNN. While attendance at the Tesla Takedown protesters peaked in March, the demonstrations have still 'been going strong,' Lava said. 4 Demonstrators carried signs and chanted outside the Tesla diner. As of Monday, the Tesla Takedown site listed 45 upcoming protests. 'Our main message is Tesla funds facism. Elon Musk, via DOGE, has destroyed our government agencies and people's jobs, and people are dying around the world because of him,' Lava added. The Tesla brand has already endured significant brand damage from the protests, he said. Last week, the automaker reported its worst sales drop in a decade and earnings that missed Wall Street estimates. Advertisement 4 The retro-futuristic interior of the new Tesla diner. APEX / MEGA Tesla has also been steadily losing overseas market share to Chinese rivals, like EV maker BYD. But executives at the company have focused on the future of the company during earnings calls, boasting about its Optimus humanoid robots and robotaxis. Advertisement These opportunities, however, are pricey and risky bets, and it's expected that Tesla will soon feel more pain from President Trump's tariffs and the end of federal EV tax credits. The stock is down more than 15% so far this year, while most tech stocks and the Nasdaq have been on an upward tear.
CNN
4 days ago
- Automotive
- CNN
‘Tesla Takedown' protestors have a new target: Elon Musk's Tesla Diner
For months, protesters have gathered outside Tesla showrooms in response to Elon Musk's role in reducing US government spending as part of the Department of Government Efficiency. This weekend, protesters in Los Angeles found a new destination: Musk's new 24-hour Tesla Diner in the Hollywood area. Musk had touted the concept of an 'old school drive-in, roller skates & rock restaurant' in 2018. Since opening on Monday, the retro-futuristic diner with electric vehicle-charging stations has had long lines of customers who are served burgers in Cybertruck-designed boxes. One customer posted to YouTube that he waited 11 hours for the restaurant to open. But Joel Lava, who has helped organize 'Tesla Takedown' demonstrations and has spearheaded protests at the diner, believes that protests could continue throughout the summer and that the buzz around the new restaurant will soon die down. '(Customers are) waiting 11 hours so they can have Tesla-brand burgers and fries,' Lava told CNN. 'This is the world's most renowned anti-trans advocate who just opened a diner in West Hollywood. The community is not very supportive of Elon.' Lava estimates as many as 75 demonstrators joined the diner protest on Saturday. He said organizers began planning protests for this weekend after the diner abruptly opened on Monday. 'Our main message is Tesla funds fascism. Elon Musk, via DOGE, has destroyed our government agencies and people's jobs, and people are dying around the world because of him,' Lava said. Tesla did not immediately respond to CNN's request for comment. Lava said protest attendance for Tesla Takedown events peaked at the end of March, but has 'been going strong.' Protests outside of Tesla showrooms across the United States have remained a weekly staple in many cities, with 40 protests planned on the 'Tesla Takedown' website for the weekend. 'We've already been successful in tarnishing the Tesla brand,' he said. During last week's second-quarter earnings call, Musk highlighted Tesla's future — not its gloomy present-day — by reaffirming ambitious plans for the company's robotaxi service and mass production of its humanoid robot, Optimus, which was serving popcorn at Musk's diner. Tesla's auto revenue fell 16% from April to June and overall revenue was down 12%, according to its earnings report. Sales of its best-selling Model Y and Model 3 fell 12% compared with a year ago, while sales of its more expensive models, including the Cybertruck, plunged 52%. Shares of Tesla (TSLA) were down more than 4% last week, closing at $316.06 on Friday, after falling 9% on Thursday. Since peaking at $479.86 on December 17, Tesla shares have plunged 34%. CNN's Chris Isidore contributed to this report.
CNN
4 days ago
- Automotive
- CNN
‘Tesla Takedown' protestors have a new target: Elon Musk's Tesla Diner
Food & drink Corporate newsFacebookTweetLink Follow For months, protesters have gathered outside Tesla showrooms in response to Elon Musk's role in reducing US government spending as part of the Department of Government Efficiency. This weekend, protesters in Los Angeles found a new destination: Musk's new 24-hour Tesla Diner in the Hollywood area. Musk had touted the concept of an 'old school drive-in, roller skates & rock restaurant' in 2018. Since opening on Monday, the retro-futuristic diner with electric vehicle-charging stations has had long lines of customers who are served burgers in Cybertruck-designed boxes. One customer posted to YouTube that he waited 11 hours for the restaurant to open. But Joel Lava, who has helped organize 'Tesla Takedown' demonstrations and has spearheaded protests at the diner, believes that protests could continue throughout the summer and that the buzz around the new restaurant will soon die down. '(Customers are) waiting 11 hours so they can have Tesla-brand burgers and fries,' Lava told CNN. 'This is the world's most renowned anti-trans advocate who just opened a diner in West Hollywood. The community is not very supportive of Elon.' Lava estimates as many as 75 demonstrators joined the diner protest on Saturday. He said organizers began planning protests for this weekend after the diner abruptly opened on Monday. 'Our main message is Tesla funds fascism. Elon Musk, via DOGE, has destroyed our government agencies and people's jobs, and people are dying around the world because of him,' Lava said. Tesla did not immediately respond to CNN's request for comment. Lava said protest attendance for Tesla Takedown events peaked at the end of March, but has 'been going strong.' Protests outside of Tesla showrooms across the United States have remained a weekly staple in many cities, with 40 protests planned on the 'Tesla Takedown' website for the weekend. 'We've already been successful in tarnishing the Tesla brand,' he said. During last week's second-quarter earnings call, Musk highlighted Tesla's future — not its gloomy present-day — by reaffirming ambitious plans for the company's robotaxi service and mass production of its humanoid robot, Optimus, which was serving popcorn at Musk's diner. Tesla's auto revenue fell 16% from April to June and overall revenue was down 12%, according to its earnings report. Sales of its best-selling Model Y and Model 3 fell 12% compared with a year ago, while sales of its more expensive models, including the Cybertruck, plunged 52%. Shares of Tesla (TSLA) were down more than 4% last week, closing at $316.06 on Friday, after falling 9% on Thursday. Since peaking at $479.86 on December 17, Tesla shares have plunged 34%. CNN's Chris Isidore contributed to this report.
Newsweek
6 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Nationwide 'Rage Against the Regime' Protest Planned for August 2
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Thousands of people are mobilizing for a National Day of Action against President Donald Trump and his administration, with hundreds of planned "Rage Against the Regime" protests scheduled for the first weekend in August. Newsweek has reached out to the protest organizers, 50501, for comment via email on Saturday. Why It Matters Since Trump returned to office in January, there have been thousands of protests nationwide—including "Hands Off" demonstrations, "No Kings" protests and various "Tesla Takedown" events targeting his then-close adviser Elon Musk. Many of the protests have been organized by the group "50 Protests, 50 States, One Movement," also known as 50501. The protests often take aim at Trump's sweeping immigration policies, leadership style, and perceived attacks on democratic institutions and civil liberties. The Trump administration and its supporters say their policies represent necessary reforms aimed at strengthening national security, enforcing immigration laws and advance core aspects of a Republican agenda. What To Know As of Saturday, 260 anti-Trump protests are planned across the country for August 2. Many are using fliers from templates provided by organizers that include explicit words against Trump and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In a Friday Reddit post, 50501 wrote: "We're fed up with the corruption, the cruelty, the erosion of rights," and is seeking people to come together in a peaceful manner to exercise their First Amendment rights. At least one protest in most states is scheduled. On June 14, thousands of people mobilized for the nationwide "No Kings" protests, which were held in every state and coincided with the president's birthday. In Salt Lake City, one protester, Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, 39, was shot and later died at the hospital. This summer in Los Angeles, protesters clashed with police and National Guard members during anti‑immigration demonstrations, with some demonstrators throwing objects at officers and authorities responding with tear gas and rubber bullets. People take part in a Stop Trump Scotland protest outside the US Consulate in Edinburgh, as US President Donald Trump begins his five-day private trip to the country at his Turnberry golf course in South... People take part in a Stop Trump Scotland protest outside the US Consulate in Edinburgh, as US President Donald Trump begins his five-day private trip to the country at his Turnberry golf course in South Ayrshire on July 26. More Press Association via AP Images Who Is Organizing the 'Rage Against the Regime' Protest? 50501 is organizing the August 2 protests and are calling upon people to "come together to transform anger into action, harnessing the energy of collective resistance." The group maintains that "our movement is rooted in non-violence, but it is far from passive. We stand strong, bold, and unyielding." The group is holding a virtual call for organizers on July 26 at 1 p.m. ET in preparation for the coming protests. What People Are Saying The Center for American Progress, a think tank, wrote in an X, formerly Twitter, post on Saturday: "If just 3.5% of Americans—12 million people—mobilize to peacefully protest the authoritarian actions of the Trump administration, it would be virtually impossible for the government to ignore their demands." Representative Ted Lieu, California Democrat, wrote Friday on X: "Continue to exercise your rights to free speech, to protest, to get involved. It all matters." What Happens Next? Europeans are also protesting Trump, with hundreds turning out at demonstrations on Saturday across Scotland where the president is on a five-day visit.
