.jpeg?width=1200&auto=webp&crop=3%3A2)
A group of “Everyone Hates Elon” protesters have smashed up a Tesla car with sledgehammers to vent their anger at the world’s richest man.
The social media campaign group auctioned off the opportunity for Londoners to “smash the utter f*** out of a Tesla” in order to send a message to the electric car company’s billionaire CEO Elon Musk.
The group said it made what it calls an art installation to “create a symbol of resistance to billionaire influence” and said it will donate any money made from the stunt to food banks.
In an explainer on its website, Everyone Hates Elon wrote: “Tesla is the source of a lot of Musk's power and wealth, and he takes great pride in the brand being a global leader.
“Recently stocks have been crashing and people across Europe have been boycotting the brand - it's sent Musk and even Trump into a panic.
“This participatory art installation lets people express their frustration with wealth inequality safely and legally, while creating something that will ultimately benefit those in need as we’ll be auctioning it to raise money for food banks”.
The vehicle, which was destined for the scrapyard, was donated by an anonymous donor and its battery will also be recycled, the protesters added.
Tesla sales have plunged in Europe and the US, as buyers continue to boycott the car maker following Musk’s support for far-right movements.
Data released in March 2025 by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association suggests Tesla sales dropped more than 40 per cent in February 2025, compared to the same period in 2024.
Musk has championed far-right parties and figures in Europe, including Germany’s AFD and Tommy Robinson, with analysts believing his politics have contributed to the drop in the company’s EV sales.
The tech billionaire was also accused of giving a “Nazi-style” salute as he delivered a speech during celebrations for Trump’s inauguration.
Everyone Hates Elon added: “Musk is extremely unpopular in Europe. We’re sick of having billionaires trying to control our lives - that’s why we’re giving ordinary people a chance to show how they feel about Elon Musk and his hateful views.”
