What is the 'TeslaTakedown' movement? What to know ahead of planned 'day of action'

As the Department of Government Efficiency led by Elon Musk continues to make deep cuts into the federal government, the TeslaTakedown movement is urging protesters to sell their Tesla vehicles, dump their stock and join the picket lines.

The movement is poised to make its largest demonstration yet, with dozens of protests planned around the world this weekend. The planned protests come as shares in Tesla stock have been sinking.

Tesla dealerships across the country have been vandalized in a backlash against Musk and his efforts with DOGE. Although Tesla stocks rebounded by 10% Monday, the stock that once stood near $500 a share now sits at about $270, having lost almost 50% of its value since December.

With protests planned across the U.S., in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, the Netherlands and more, here's what you need to know about the TeslaTakedown movement.

What is TeslaTakedown?

According to the movement's website, March 29 is planned as a "global day of action."

"Elon Musk is destroying our democracy, and he's using the fortune he built at Tesla to do it. We are taking action at Tesla to stop Musk's illegal coup," the site says. "Tesla Takedown is a peaceful protest movement. We oppose violence, vandalism and destruction of property.”

As part of the movement, the website calls for people to sell their Tesla vehicles as well as dump their stock and join picket lines in front of more than 500 Tesla locations around the world. 

The U.S. is the country with the majority of protests around the world, according to the organizer's website. Protests are planned in more than 30 states across the country.

Tesla vandalism has been on the rise

The backlash against Musk has not been limited to protests. Acts of vandalism against Tesla dealerships and individual Tesla vehicles have been reported across the U.S.

The latest incident against Tesla came Monday, when the Austin Police Department said incendiary devices were found at a Tesla dealership. The devices, which were designed to cause fires, were taken away by police without incident, according to the department.

In Las Vegas, police said Molotov cocktails and a gun were used to destroy Tesla cars during a "targeted attack" last week at a Tesla Collision Center. Police said they believe the suspect shot at the vehicles at least three times in addition to using the improvised explosives to ignite the fires.

Last month, an investigation was opened by federal authorities after a Tesla dealership in Loveland, Colorado, was vandalized. 

An individual or individuals smashed windows, painted Cybertruck windshields with large red X's and tried to ignite a fire. Local media also reported that someone painted "Nazi Cars" on vehicles at the dealership, which said it was the third attack of its kind this year.

Trump administration has tried to help Musk, Tesla

Members of the Trump administration as well as Trump himself have stepped in to help Musk and Tesla, of which he is the CEO, amid the global backlash.

In a news release March 20, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced charges against three people over "the violent destruction of Tesla properties." She warned that "if you join this wave of domestic terrorism against Tesla properties, the Department of Justice will put you behind bars."

Earlier this month, Trump held an event at the White House in which he showcased five Tesla models parked along the driveway that winds around the South Lawn. 

Asked whether his decision to purchase a Tesla might improve the company’s stock and sales, Trump said, "I hope it does."

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick also came in defense of Musk, urging Americans to buy the plunging Tesla stock.

"It’s unbelievable that this guy’s stock is this cheap," he said on Fox News. "It’ll never be this cheap again."

Bondi, Democrats clash over Musk

Over the weekend, Bondi and Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, clashed after Crockett said she wanted Musk to be "taken down" on her birthday, a reference to the planned protests. Crockett's remarks came during a mass mobilizing call with the TeslaTakedown movement.

After those remarks, Bondi warned Crockett to watch her words in an appearance on Fox News’ "Sunday Morning Futures."

"She is an elected public official, so she needs to tread very carefully, because nothing will happen to Elon Musk, and we’re going to fight to protect all of the Tesla owners throughout this country," Bondi said.

Crockett did not take long to respond, saying in an interview on MSNBC that she was not calling for violence.

"I just want to say that I have never promoted violence whatsoever. Yet, I've also never made excuses for those violent actors, such as the ones on Jan. 6," Crockett said.

Contributing: Sudiksha Kochi, Jonathan Limehouse and Michael Collins

Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.