Protesters Gather Outside Santa Barbara Tesla Dealership Over Musk’s Government Role

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Protesters lined the street outside the Santa Barbara Tesla dealership on Saturday in response to Elon Musk’s collaboration with the Trump administration on cost-cutting measures.

The demonstration, organized by the local chapter of Indivisible, was held outside the dealership at 400 Hitchcock Way. Indivisible is a nationwide progressive advocacy group with more than 1,300 local chapters. Other protests against Musk were held Saturday at Tesla facilities across the country.

Many protesters voiced concerns about President Donald Trump’s appointment of Musk as head of the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, a newly established agency tasked with reducing federal spending.

"I'm very concerned about what's going on," said Ruben Dalton, a Vietnam veteran. "I'm upset with half the country that supports him, and I hope they wake up and see the dangers involved in what he's proposing. What’s happening with Musk—trying to dismantle our society and government—is dangerous."

Other demonstrators raised concerns about DOGE having access to sensitive government data, including information from Medicaid and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The protest, dubbed "Tesla Takedown," also urged Tesla owners to sell their vehicles, dump their stock, and join the picket lines.

Country music star Sheryl Crow joined the protest by announcing on Instagram that she had sold her Tesla in opposition to Musk’s role in the Trump administration. She also donated the proceeds to NPR.

"My parents always said… you are who you hang out with. There comes a time when you have to decide who you are willing to align with. So long, Tesla," Crow wrote in an Instagram post, accompanied by a video of her waving goodbye to her vehicle.

According to the California New Car Dealers Association, Tesla sales dropped nearly 12% in 2024.