Trump and Musk : Tens of thousands of Americans flooded the streets of major U.S. cities on Saturday in the largest wave of protests since Donald Trump returned to the White House. Under the banner of “Hands Off!”, demonstrators condemned what they called the administration’s assault on democracy, civil liberties, and vulnerable communities, while also targeting Elon Musk, the controversial head of Trump’s newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Organized by a coalition of more than 150 groups, including MoveOn, Women’s March, the Human Rights Campaign, labor unions, veterans’ associations, and LGBTQ+ activists, the protests spanned all 50 states and over 1,200 locations, from state capitols to public squares and the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
“An Economy-Crashing Dictatorship”: Fury on the National Mall
In Washington, thousands gathered at the Lincoln Memorial, where lawmakers and activists delivered fiery speeches. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), a key figure in Trump’s second impeachment, denounced the administration’s policies as “an economy-crashing dictatorship.”
“No moral person wants a dictator who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing,” Raskin declared, igniting cheers from the crowd.
Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign, condemned the administration’s rollback of LGBTQ+ protections, including cuts to HIV prevention funding and restrictions on gender-affirming care.
“They are criminalizing our doctors, our teachers, our families,” Robinson said. “This is Donald Trump’s America—and we don’t want it. We want the America we deserve.”
From Boston to Los Angeles: “Hands Off Our Democracy”
In Boston Common, thousands marched with signs reading “Hands Off Our Democracy” and “Diversity Makes America Strong.” In Columbus, Ohio, hundreds braved the rain outside the Statehouse, where Roger Broom, 66, a retired Reagan voter, said he now sees Trump as “tearing the country apart.”
“I never thought I’d be protesting like this,” Broom said. “But this isn’t conservatism—it’s chaos.”
In Los Angeles, demonstrators rallied outside City Hall, while in Houston, activists linked arms in a show of solidarity against Trump’s immigration crackdowns and cuts to social programs.
Elon Musk in the Crosshairs
The protests also took aim at Elon Musk, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO who now leads Trump’s DOGE, a department tasked with “streamlining” federal agencies. Critics accuse Musk of spearheading mass layoffs of federal workers, shuttering Social Security offices, and dismantling key agencies.
“Musk is helping Trump turn the government into a corporate dystopia,” said Maya Chen, 32, a protester in New York City, where demonstrators held signs reading “Fire Musk, Save Democracy.”
Musk, who also owns the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), has faced backlash for censoring critics and boosting pro-Trump content. His DOGE reforms have drawn comparisons to corporate downsizing, with opponents warning of privatized public services.
Protests Spread to Europe
The backlash wasn’t confined to the U.S. In London, Berlin, and Paris, activists staged solidarity rallies outside American embassies. In Berlin, protesters held a banner reading “Trump + Musk = Autocracy.”
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White House Dismisses Demonstrations
The Trump administration downplayed the protests, releasing a statement claiming the president “will always protect Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid” while accusing Democrats of “giving benefits to illegal aliens.”
Trump himself remained defiant. “My policies will never change,” he said Friday before spending Saturday golfing at his club in Jupiter, Florida. Nearby, protesters lined PGA Boulevard, waving signs and urging passing cars to honk in solidarity.
What Comes Next?
With approval ratings slipping and legal battles mounting, Trump faces growing resistance. But Saturday’s protests showed that opposition remains organized, passionate, and nationwide.
“This is just the beginning,” said Lena Rodriguez, 45, a teacher protesting in Chicago. “We won’t let them take our rights without a fight.”
As the 2026 midterms approach, the “Hands Off!” movement could become a defining force in American politics—one that refuses to stay silent.
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