Tens of thousands of protesters gathered across the United States and Europe on Saturday in what organizers called the largest single-day protest against President Donald Trump and his billionaire ally Elon Musk.
The nationwide “Hands Off!” demonstrations were organized in over 1,200 locations across all 50 states. Participants voiced their opposition to the administration’s policies on government downsizing, the economy, human rights, and more.
‘Hands Off!’ movement
The protests, organized by more than 150 advocacy groups—including civil rights organizations, labor unions, LGBTQ+ activists, veterans, and others—demanded an end to what they see as a harmful agenda spearheaded by Trump and Musk. These groups united in their concern over the administration’s moves to cut federal spending, eliminate thousands of government jobs, dismantle social programs, and undermine the rights of immigrants and marginalized communities.
“Our movement represents a collective rejection of what we see as a billionaire power grab,” stated the event organizers. The mass actions also targeted the policies of Elon Musk, who serves as an adviser to Trump and heads the newly established Department of Government Efficiency. Musk, known for his leadership of companies like Tesla and SpaceX, has been at the center of efforts to reduce government spending, which he claims is saving taxpayers billions of dollars. Critics, however, argue that his actions are damaging public services and vital social programs.
Protests in major U.S. Cities
In Washington, D.C., thousands of demonstrators gathered at the National Mall, despite light rain, to rally against the administration. Prominent figures from Congress, including Democratic Representatives Jamie Raskin, Ilhan Omar, and Maxwell Frost, addressed the crowd. Raskin condemned Trump’s policies, likening them to “the politics of Mussolini and the economics of Herbert Hoover,” while calling for a return to a democracy where “the people” are in charge, not a president who values power over humanity.
Rep. Omar echoed this sentiment, urging the crowd to “fight for a country where we take care of our neighbors, look after the poor, and make sure our children have a future they can believe in.”
Demonstrators across the U.S. echoed similar messages, with large gatherings in cities like New York, Boston, Los Angeles, and Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Many protesters voiced concerns over Trump’s policies on immigration, the economy, and the treatment of the LGBTQ+ community. “They’re trying to ban our books, slash HIV prevention funding, and criminalize our doctors, our teachers, our families,” said Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign, at the Washington rally.
Among the protesters were individuals like Roger Broom, a retiree from Ohio, who voiced disillusionment with the Trump administration. “He’s tearing this country apart,” Broom said. In Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, where Trump was spending the weekend at his golf club, protesters gathered in front of his property, chanting and holding signs demanding that Trump “keep his hands off our Social Security.”
Archer Moran, a protester from nearby Port St. Lucie, expressed frustration at the ongoing cuts to essential services. “The list of what they need to keep their hands off of is too long,” he said, pointing to issues ranging from healthcare cuts to immigration policies.
International protests against Trump and Musk
The outcry against Trump and Musk’s policies extended beyond the U.S., with demonstrations held in cities like London, Paris, Berlin, Lisbon and Frankfurt.
In Berlin, protesters gathered outside a Tesla showroom, calling for “an end to the chaos” caused by Trump’s leadership. They held up slogans like “Shut up Elon, no one voted for you” and a playful protest featuring a dog wearing a sign that said “Dogs against DOGE,” referencing Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). In Frankfurt, Democrats Abroad organized a rally at Opernplatz, calling for the resignation of President Trump and demanding the restoration of democracy, with placards reading “Restore Democracy” and “Hands off our personal data.”
In Paris, around 200 people gathered at Place de la République, holding signs like “Save Democracy” and “Resist Tyrants” with speeches and music, including a rendition of Bob Dylan’s “Masters of War.” Meanwhile, in London, a few hundred people gathered in Trafalgar Square, chanting “Hands off Canada” and “Hands off Ukraine” while waving signs like “Proud American Ashamed” and “WTAF America?” Protests also took place in Lisbon, though details were less specific, adding to the widespread dissatisfaction across Europe.
Impact of Trump’s Policies
One of the key grievances voiced at the protests was the administration’s approach to federal spending and government downsizing. Since taking office, Trump, with Musk’s assistance, has aggressively slashed budgets for essential services, laying off tens of thousands of federal workers and undermining programs that millions of Americans rely on, including Medicaid, Social Security, and public education. Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, in particular, has been a focal point of criticism, with detractors accusing him of misleading the public about government waste while dismantling essential services and infrastructure.
The social safety net has also been under attack, with the Trump administration cutting funding for vital health programs, including HIV prevention, and rolling back protections for transgender people. Protests have also highlighted the administration’s harsh stance on immigration, with mass deportations and increased ICE raids targeting vulnerable communities.
U.S. families could face significantly higher costs for back-to-school clothes and shoes this fall, as President Donald Trump’s tariffs on major exporters take effect, industry groups warn. “For all Chinese goods, that meant tariffs of at least 54%,” stated the American Apparel & Footwear Association, highlighting the impact of the president’s trade policies.
Nearly 97% of the apparel and footwear sold in the U.S. is imported, primarily from Asia, with major retailers like Walmart, Gap, Lululemon, and Nike relying heavily on Asian manufacturing. Tariffs on goods from Vietnam, Cambodia, Bangladesh, and Indonesia are also set to rise, with rates as high as 49%. “Neither U.S. companies nor their overseas suppliers are likely to absorb new costs that high,” warned experts. Countries like India, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, also hit with high tariffs, have not emerged as viable alternatives for sourcing. With these rising import taxes, U.S. consumers are expected to bear the brunt of the cost increases, particularly as back-to-school season approaches.
Calls for defending democracy
In response to these sweeping policy changes, activists have called for a united front to push back against what they view as an authoritarian agenda. “We need to come together and defend our democracy,” said Rep. Frost. “If we believe in a country where we protect human dignity, where we protect the environment, where we protect our neighbors, we need to take action now.”
The protests on Saturday were not just a statement of dissent but a call for solidarity across political lines. As the movement gains traction, organizers are working to build momentum, with plans for further actions aimed at defending public services, preserving human rights, and safeguarding the future of the American people.