David Remnick: This is The New Yorker Radio Hour. I'm David Remnick. We've been speaking today about Elon Musk. Earlier in the show, I spoke with historian Jill Lepore about the influence of science fiction on Musk, his business interest in space travel, and how it relates to his work in DOGE, slashing federal government programs to the ground. Musk's role in DOGE and his support of far-right movements around the world are now coming into conflict with some of his business interests, in particular with Tesla.
The people who tend to buy electric cars are usually quite well-heeled and at least somewhat progressive. That had been the case for a long time. Now Tesla sales seem to be dropping, and there are sizable protests at dealerships. They're kind of getting under Donald Trump's skin.
Attorney General Pam Bondi: You also gave us a directive to prosecute the people who are going after Tesla to the fullest extent of the law. Some of the greatest police work I've seen. Within the next 24 hours, you're going to be seeing another huge arrest on a Tesla dealership president, and that person will be looking at least 20 years in prison with no negotiations.
President Trump: That's great. That will stop it cold.
David Remnick: One of these grassroots efforts goes by the hashtag TeslaTakedown. Our producer, Adam Howard, spoke with an organizer about how she got involved with the movement.
Patty Hoyt: My name's Patty Hoyt. I live in north of San Francisco in a small town called Novato. Although in the first administration, I did organize rallies and protests, quite a few, I've had a break, and very recently, a friend of mine who's a veteran reached out to me and wanted to bring to light the plight of veterans. Knowing my background, he asked if I was interested. Being the daughter of a veteran, sure. Having to choose, there's so many things going on, "What am I going to focus on?" I selected veterans and immigrants is where I'm going to put my energy. I had attended a couple of Tesla takedowns and thought, "Okay, this looks like the perfect thing to do."
Protesters: Hands up for VA. Hands up for VA. Hands up for VA. Hands up for VA.
Adam Howard: Was it the cuts to the VA as part of DOGE--
Patty Hoyt: I'm sorry, yes. The fact that 30% of the federal workforce happens to be veterans. Not only the VA being threatened with a 20% cut in staff, but just throughout the federal workforce, there are so many veterans.
Adam Howard: You mentioned being part of protests during the first Trump administration. From your perspective, are the vibes and the atmosphere at these protests different in any way than they were in the first term?
Patty Hoyt: I would say there seems to be more anger. Who I am encountering this time around is a lot of people that didn't protest then, have never protested before, and now are out there.
Adam Howard: What do you think is motivating these people who are getting on the streets for the first time?
Patty Hoyt: Fear and anger. I think perhaps the speed of which all of this is coming, I can't even keep track of, "What next?" I think it was different in the first term. It took longer for people to get energized. They felt they had more time. We're not the only ones in my little town. Puerto Madero is where the dealership is in our county. There's a protest at noon on Saturdays, ours at 3:00, and then another done on Sundays at 2:00. Different groups are coming out at various times, just providing that place where people can come and bring, yes, some funny signs, but also just collectively, "Here we are all together feeling this one way."
Adam Howard: I'm sure you've seen the reports about Tesla stock taking a hit. The sales apparently are down 9% this year in the US, even though the EV market is growing. What do you make of the impact that these protests are having? Do you feel like these protests deserve some of the credit for the hit that Tesla's taking?
Patty Hoyt: Yes. I don't think that the people who protest are the only ones that hate him and what he stands for. I go with the, "I want to shame you into not buying a Tesla. I want to shame you into dumping stock." I'd love you to sell your Tesla, but I understand that that's not possible. They're not even taking cybertrucks as trade-ins, Tesla itself. I think you're embarrassed to drive a Tesla precisely because you're now associated with Musk and his fascism. It goes beyond Musk, of course. In terms of oligarchy and billionaires, that's what my goal is. I absolutely believe that we've made a difference in people saying, "I don't want people to flip me off as I drive. I don't want people to give the Nazi salute as I drive by my Tesla."
Adam Howard: Right. I'm sure you've seen the same videos I have of Teslas being smashed. There's Tesla being set on fire. A little bit more extreme. How worried are you about Tesla takedown being associated with more, maybe violent action or vandalism, that sort of thing?
Patty Hoyt: It doesn't bother me. I believe they're wrong, but there's nothing I can do to convince them otherwise. I do think it detracts. You don't want that. You don't ever want violence in the name of your protests to happen, and I don't encourage it.
Adam Howard: The President of the United States is making some pretty extreme threats to protesters, talking about domestic terrorism. Among the folks that you are doing these protests with, are there fears about reprisals coming from the government, or are they basically tuning that stuff out?
Patty Hoyt: Oh, no, they're afraid. Which isn't to say I'm not. I can cite quite recently somebody no longer wanting to have their name associated with it because of that fear. Given attendance and such at these protests, it doesn't seem to be stopping anybody from coming. I only see a couple of people who wear masks to try to hide their identity. It's a scary place we all find ourselves in. I won't stop, but I am afraid.
Adam Howard: There have been at least rumors that Elon Musk might be stepping away from all of his DOGE activity. We spoke about the financial impact that this has had on his business. I'm curious, where do you see this all ending in terms of Musk's role in the federal government and this Tesla Takedown movement?
Patty Hoyt: It doesn't undo the damage he's done just by saying he stepped away. Nor do I believe he actually would step away. By news account reports, he's not even the leader of DOGE. I don't believe that. Even if it were true, you don't just "not" punish someone for the damage he's doing.
Adam Howard: Patty, thank you so much for taking time to speak to me. I really appreciate it.
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Patty Hoyt: Okay, take care.
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Adam Howard: Patty Hoyt is an organizer in the movement known as Tesla Takedown, and she spoke with The Radio Hour's Adam Howard.
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