After tossing Molotov cocktails at autos and vandalizing showrooms, Tesla protesters are actually taking intention at Elon Musk’s retro-futuristic diner close to Hollywood — whilst traces of shoppers wrap across the block.
Tall inflatable balloons designed to appear to be Musk, in Tesla-branded T-shirts and black MAGA hats, mimicked the Nazi salute whereas protesters chanted: “Hey hey, ho ho, Elon Musk has got to go!”
In movies posted to social media, one demonstrator could be seen splayed throughout the entrance of a Cybertruck and flipping the fowl in an try to discourage prospects from driving into the diner’s car parking zone.
Followers of Musk confirmed up in full drive, too, with one buyer on YouTube claiming he waited 11 hours for the restaurant to open.
Simply greater than 20 autos could be seen backed up across the block in a video on-line as prospects waited to order, whereas reviews from final week described traces at the very least 100 folks lengthy.
For months, Musk has confronted outrage from protesters at Tesla dealerships throughout the nation following his extreme authorities funding cuts.
About 75 protesters gathered on Saturday on the 24-hour Tesla diner, which abruptly opened final week after years of Musk touting his imaginative and prescient for an “old school drive-in, roller skates & rock restaurant.”
Electrical-vehicle charging stations wrap across the car parking zone of the Tesla diner, which has a entrance door that appears like a glowing portal and neon crimson stripes atop the constructing.
Tesla’s Optimus humanoid robots stuffed cartons with recent popcorn on the opening, whereas prospects have been served burgers in Cybertruck packing containers and $12 maple-glazed bacon.
There’s a wraparound balcony on the highest deck of the diner with tables and chairs the place prospects can get pleasure from dinner and a film, as a big display within the car parking zone performs full-length movies every night time.
However protesters are hopeful that the thrill across the diner and drive-in theater will die down.
“This is the world’s most renowned anti-trans advocate who just opened a diner in West Hollywood. The community is not very supportive of Elon,” Joel Lava, who led the protests on the diner, advised CNN.
Whereas attendance on the Tesla Takedown protesters peaked in March, the demonstrations have nonetheless “been going strong,” Lava mentioned.
As of Monday, the Tesla Takedown web site listed 45 upcoming protests.
“Our main message is Tesla funds facism. Elon Musk, via DOGE, has destroyed our government agencies and people’s jobs, and people are dying around the world because of him,” Lava added.
The Tesla model has already endured important model injury from the protests, he mentioned.
Final week, the automaker reported its worst gross sales drop in a decade and earnings that missed Wall Avenue estimates.
Tesla has additionally been steadily dropping abroad market share to Chinese language rivals, like EV maker BYD.
However executives on the firm have centered on the way forward for the corporate throughout earnings calls, boasting about its Optimus humanoid robots and robotaxis.
These alternatives, nonetheless, are expensive and dangerous bets, and it’s anticipated that Tesla will quickly really feel extra ache from President Trump’s tariffs and the top of federal EV tax credit.
The inventory is down greater than 15% up to now this yr, whereas most tech shares and the Nasdaq have been on an upward tear.
