Photos: 1,000 Strong Protest Against Musk & Trump at Tucson Tesla Showroom

Approximately 1,000 demonstrators expressed their anger at Tucson’s Tesla dealership on Saturday, targeting Elon Musk and the Trump administration’s policies regarding federal employees. This protest marks the third consecutive weekend of demonstrations at this location, situated near Oracle and River Roads.

Protesters voiced their discontent with Musk’s role in the Department of Government Efficiency, or “DOGE,” a term coined by the Trump White House that mirrors a joke cryptocurrency. Support from Tesla owners was evident, with some parking their vehicles along Oracle Road, proudly displaying bumper stickers that read, “I bought this before Elon went crazy.”

Among the protestors was Mitzi Cowell, who donned attire reminiscent of a Revolutionary War soldier, brandishing an American flag alongside a sign that proclaimed, “No Kings – The Founders.” The reference reflects Trump’s recent self-identification as “king” after his administration disrupted New York City’s congestion pricing initiative. He declared on social media, “CONGESTION PRICING IS DEAD. Manhattan, and all of New York, is SAVED. LONG LIVE THE KING!” while sharing an altered image of himself on a mock Time magazine cover.

Cowell, who has been politically active since Trump’s first campaign, expressed her disillusionment with political money influencing governance. “Democracy is messy, but dictatorship is way worse,” she stated. “It’s led to greedy men thinking they can lead us.”

In contrast, Republicans like U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani have supported DOGE, while Democrats such as Sens. Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego along with U.S. Rep. Raúl Grijalva have criticized its initiatives. Since taking office, Trump and Musk have collaborated to streamline federal operations, with Musk’s DOGE team assessing and closing several agencies’ functions. Their reach extends to the Office of Personnel Management and the General Services Administration, as well as cancelling educational data contracts. Reports suggest that the Department of Education may also be targeted for reduction.

Musk, known as the world’s wealthiest individual and owner of multiple companies, including SpaceX and Starlink, labeled USAID as “criminal.” The Trump administration has indicated plans to dissolve USAID, transferring its responsibilities to the State Department, particularly following USAID’s investigations into potential corruption linked to Starlink’s overseas operations. However, federal courts have intervened, blocking some of DOGE’s actions, including its attempts to access Treasury payments and dismantle USAID.

The Tucson protests underscored broader grievances, including dissatisfaction with a recent meeting between Trump, Musk, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Frank Sanzo, a participant in the protests, argued against enabling fascism, saying, “You don’t play Quislings to fascists.” Supporters rallied with honking horns and Ukrainian flags, while a nearby Trump supporter made his presence known with pro-Trump signs.

In a related demonstration, around 250 individuals gathered at Saguaro National Park to decry significant budget cuts and layoffs within the National Park Service, where nearly 1,000 workers were terminated just days earlier. As a result, Saguaro National Park announced closures at its visitor centers on Mondays.

These protests reflect a growing discontent over government policies impacting employment within public services and the management of federal agencies. Additional protests are planned across various parks and monuments in Arizona, further demonstrating the mounting frustrations within the community.