'Tesla Takedown': Protestors rally against Elon Musk at downtown Chicago Tesla dealership on North Rush Street on Near North Side
Share this @internewscast.com

CHICAGO (WLS) — There was a “Tesla Takedown” protest Saturday in downtown Chicago.

Some passionate crowds were out as a few hundred people gathered on the Near North Side, protesting against Tesla, and Elon Musk specifically.

Many of them said they’ve grown frustrated with the actions of Musk’s “department of government efficiency” despite him not being an elected official.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Chants and roars echoed through parts of Chicago as massive crowds gathered to protest Musk and his company.

“Elon is not an elected person, and he has no authority to dismantle our government and programs that help us American people,” Chicago resident Tina Smothers said.

The group remained peaceful as they showcased all sorts of signs and demonstrations, claiming Musk’s department of government efficiency has turned into government overreach.

“He’s not our president,” Chicago resident Vicky Weidenkeller said. “He’s not an elected official. What business does he have taking over our government?”

Similar protests happening around the Chicagoland area Saturday, with groups gathering for the same reason in Westmont.

From the suburbs to the city, It’s a movement protestors said they feel the need to be a part of in hopes of protecting longtime programs that benefit Americans.

“There’s a lot of concern about what the government is doing, wrecking social security… Medicaid,” Chicago resident Gene Bill said.

Other people passed by Saturday’s protest, saying it’s frustrating to see the group go up against Tesla.

Chicago resident Jake Diliberto said he just bought a Tesla Cybertruck, and he thinks people should put politics aside in this situation.

“I care about greenhouse gas emissions I like the storage of the car so for me it’s more about greenhouse not paying for gas,” Diliberto said. “You want to protest Trump, you want to protest Elon, then go ahead, but all this does is hurt the employees that work there.”

Everything had remained peaceful on the Near North Side as of 3:15 p.m., and there were no known arrests.

People there said they’ll keep up the protests as long as Musk is part of the Trump administration.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Florida Woman Allegedly Threatens Kids with Pellet Gun While They Fish Near Her Backyard: Officials Report

A woman in Florida was arrested after she allegedly pointed a pellet…

Costa Rican Hotel Rejects Claims That Carbon Monoxide Killed Yankees Legend Brett Gardner’s Son

The Costa Rican resort where Miller Gardner, the son of New York…

Cory Booker Launches Marathon Senate Floor Speech to Protest Trump Administration: Watch Live

WASHINGTON — New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker is continuing his hours-long speech…

Joliet’s Sgt. Jose Duenez Jr. Among Four US Army Soldiers Found Deceased After Disappearing in Lithuania

JOLIET, Ill. (WLS) — One of the four U.S. Army soldiers killed…

Chicago Auto Industry Closely Monitors Trump’s Planned Tariffs

FOREST PARK, Ill. (WLS) — President Donald Trump is set to impose…

Police: Narciso Gallardo Fernandez, suspect in the fatal shooting of Erick Velasquez at Madera Walgreens, harbored a ‘grudge’ against pharmacies

MADERA, Calif. — A man walked into a Walgreens in California and…

San Diego Migrant Shelter Shuts Down as Trump’s Immigration Policies Cause Drop in Numbers: Report

A significant migrant shelter in San Diego is shutting down as the…

Virginia Giuffre clarifies Instagram post claiming she had four days to live was an error, shares new information about car crash

Jeffrey Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre has said she mistakenly posted the claim…

Travis Kelce Celebrates Becoming an Uncle Again as Brother Jason and Kylie Share Baby News

Travis Kelce has broken his silence on the birth of his fourth…

Former Alabama Officer Denied Immunity in Fatal Shooting of Black Man During Vehicle Repossession

A former Alabama police officer who fired more than a dozen rounds…

Descubrimientos sobre un rancho en México ofrecen información sobre las actividades del Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación en el país

CIUDAD DE MÉXICO — Si bien ha sido mucho lo que se…

Tesla Owner Strikes Back at Cybertruck Vandalism, Promises to Set an Example

Amid the growing wave of protests against Elon Musk’s Tesla in the…