Nationwide Protests Against Trump and Musk: A Call for Change

Nationwide Protests Erupt Against Trump and Musk

WASHINGTON — Critics of President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk mobilized across the United States on Saturday to express their dissent over government policies affecting the economy, human rights, and administration downsizing, among other pressing concerns.

More than 1,200 “Hands Off!” demonstrations were organized by over 150 groups, including civil rights advocates, labor unions, LGBTQ+ supporters, veterans, and electoral activists. Rallying points spanned the National Mall in Washington, D.C., as well as state capitols and various locations in all 50 states.

Marchers condemned the Trump administration’s initiatives, including the dismissal of thousands of federal employees, closures of Social Security Administration offices, the deportation of immigrants, reduced protections for transgender individuals, and cuts to crucial health programs.

Musk, a key Trump adviser and CEO of companies like Tesla, SpaceX, and the social media platform X, has been integral to the federal downsizing effort as head of the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency, claiming to save taxpayers billions.

At the rally in Washington, Paul Osadebe, a lawyer for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and a labor union steward, criticized Trump, Musk, and their administration for failing to recognize the valuable contributions of federal employees in ensuring economic security for working individuals.

“Billionaires and oligarchs only value profit and power. They certainly do not value your life or your community,” he declared. “It’s evident they are willing to harm others to fulfill their own desires.”

In Massachusetts, crowds gathered at Boston Common with signs declaring “Hands off our democracy,” “Hands off our Social Security,” and “Diversity, equity, and inclusion make America strong. Hands off!” Meanwhile, in Ohio, hundreds braved the rain at the Statehouse in Columbus.

Roger Broom, 66, a retiree from Ohio, expressed his disillusionment at the Columbus rally, stating, “I used to be a Reagan Republican, but Trump has turned me off.”

“He’s tearing this country apart. It’s an administration focused on grievances.”

Demonstrators congregated in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, near Trump’s golf course in Jupiter. Activists lined the streets of PGA Drive, urging passing cars to honk in support and chanting against Trump.

Archer Moran from Port St. Lucie, Florida, remarked, “It’s crucial that they leave our Social Security alone.”

“Their list of what they need to avoid touching is extensive, and it’s incredible how quickly these protests are mounting since he took office.”

According to the White House, the President plans to continue golfing on Sunday.

In response to the protests, the White House stated, “President Trump’s commitment is clear: he will always safeguard Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid for those who qualify. Meanwhile, the Democrats’ agenda risks giving benefits to illegal aliens which could jeopardize these programs and undermine American seniors.”

Activists have organized protests against Trump and Musk on numerous occasions since Trump’s return to office; however, the opposition has yet to achieve the same level of mass mobilization seen during events like the Women’s March in 2017 or the widespread Black Lives Matter protests that ignited in response to George Floyd’s death in 2020.