Protesters Rally at Santa Barbara Tesla Dealership Over Elon Musk, Federal Job Cuts

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — Hundreds of demonstrators rallied outside the Santa Barbara Tesla dealership Saturday to protest CEO Elon Musk’s role in sweeping federal job cuts.

More than 200 protesters lined the street outside the Tesla showroom on Hitchcock Way, holding signs and chanting against what they called a dangerous mix of corporate power and government overreach. Smaller protests also took place at Tesla locations in Camarillo and San Luis Obispo.

“This is not just about Tesla or Elon Musk — this is about our jobs, our schools, our communities,” said one Santa Barbara protester, pointing to recent district decisions to cut art and music programs in public schools. “The kids should be out here. They’re losing their future.”

Around 10 counterprotesters showed up in Santa Barbara, waving flags and voicing support for Musk and President Trump. The event remained peaceful, despite moments of tense exchange.

“It’s OK to have a difference of opinion,” one participant said. “But it’s not OK to be intimidating or violent.”

The demonstrations were part of the broader “Tesla Takedown” campaign, which saw coordinated protests across the country and around the world. The movement targets Musk’s leadership of the federal Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE — an agency created under Trump’s second term to cut government spending. Since its formation, more than 121,000 federal workers have been laid off.

“This is not about efficiency. This is about eliminating services,” said a protester in Washington, D.C., where similar rallies were held.

While organizers have emphasized peaceful action, the protests come amid a rise in violent attacks on Tesla vehicles and facilities. Cars and charging stations have been set on fire in recent weeks, prompting an FBI investigation and condemnation from the White House.

“When I looked at those showrooms burning — and those cars, not one or two, but eight, ten exploding all over the place — these are terrorists,” said one federal official.

Despite the controversy, protest organizers say their message is focused on transparency, accountability, and protecting public services from unchecked corporate influence.

“Elon Musk may be in charge of DOGE, but he’s not above the people,” one Santa Barbara demonstrator said. “We’re standing up for what matters.”