‘No kings on Presidents Day’: Nationwide protesters rage against Elon Musk and Donald Trump

Protesters yelled 'no kings on Presidents Day' in response to Donald Trump and Elon Musk's DOGE crackdown, accusing them of 'destroying' the federal government
PUBLISHED FEB 18, 2025
Thousands of Americans defied bitter cold on President's Day to protest against Elon Musk and Donald Trump (Getty Images)
Thousands of Americans defied bitter cold on President's Day to protest against Elon Musk and Donald Trump (Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC: Protesters flocked to state capitol buildings and other venues across the United States on Presidents Day to voice their disapproval of President Donald Trump and DOGE head Elon Musk's efforts, which include pillaging of federal agencies.

Protesters put aloft placards that proclaimed "No Kings," joining the largely nonviolent "Not my Presidents Day" demonstrations on Monday, February 17.

However, there were a few incidents where chaos broke out, including when protesters attempted to enter Arizona's state capitol and an arrest in Washington, DC after a protester allegedly threw paint on a Trump supporter, reported Newsweek.



 

Protesters take to the streets across US to oppose Donald Trump and Elon Musk

Activists were celebrating "Not My Presidents Day," which was primarily coordinated by the 50501 Movement and several indivisible groups.

Protesters yelled "no kings on Presidents Day" in response to President Donald Trump and his billionaire buddy Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) crackdown, accusing them of "destroying" the federal government through his leadership of the department.

The protests against the Trump administration were organized by the 50501 Movement, which cited Musk's DOGE federal cuts and mass deportations as some of the main causes.



 

Protesters gathered outside Tesla dealerships filled with vehicles, in state capitols, and at local city halls. A banner in an office window above a San Francisco Tesla shop read, "We hate him too," per the Independent.

A protester outside donning a Musk mask gave a Nazi salute that resembled the tech billionaire's "sieg heil" as he praised Trump's inauguration in January.

Protesters carrying posters that read "No Kings" and "Resist Fascism" tried to enter the Arizona Statehouse in Phoenix in an attempt to block a bill that would commit local law enforcement to a harsh federal crackdown on immigration.

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 17: Protesters rally against the Trump administration during
Protesters rally against the Trump administration during 'Not My President's Day' protests at the Capitol Reflecting Pool on February 17, 2025, in Washington, DC (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

"Deport Musk Dethrone Trump" was the message on one of the signs among the hundreds of protesters in Washington, DC.

Before marching to City Hall, about 1,000 protesters gathered in the snow in bitterly cold weather at the Massachusetts State House at the Boston Commons, chanting, "Elon Musk has got to go," per WCVB-TV.

Potus Black, a coordinator for the 50501 Movement's DC branch, urged the sea of demonstrators to unify to "uphold the Constitution."

"To oppose tyranny is to stand behind democracy and remind our elected officials that we, the people, are who they're elected to serve, not themselves," Black said, reported NPR.

"The events over the past month have been built to exhaust us, to break our wills. But we are the American people. We will not break," he added.



 

Internet divided over 'Not My Presidents Day' protests

Social media users had mixed reactions to the "Not My Presidents Day" protests across numerous American cities. One X user supported the protest and said, "They are right. Only Democrats should hold power in the Whitehouse, forever."

Another wrote, "THESE are Americans rising up against corruption, autocracy, racism, Nazism, misogyny and outright theft on #PresidentsDay. This is the largest protest since…1-21-17 — also against Tяump."

"We were doing what needs to be done. Protesting irresponsible representation by David Schweikert," one person said.

"Power to them. EVERY American has the right to protest. I don't have to agree them. neither do you. I remember a time when people could agree to disagree have a beer and shot a game of pool and say see ya tomorrow. That's the America I miss," another declared.



 



 



 



 

Several others condemned the protest and believed that it was a "waste of time," as one X user said, "Waste of time. They should get together, come up with a better plan for America and put it to a vote."

"They'll lose again of course but these several hundred paid professional activists will eventually realise that tens of millions disagree with them," the user added.

"Let’s see if they are back tomorrow. These are all federal employees with a day off!" exclaimed someone else.

Another noted, "If Trump is not their President then they must not be citizens of America and should leave immediately or be deported."

"I see lots of able-bodied workers about to have their government freebies cut off. Its Monday, why aren't they at work?" asked one individual.



 



 



 



 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.

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