Protesters Rally Against Trump and Musk

Opponents of President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk rallied across the U.S. to protest the administration’s actions on government downsizing, the economy, human rights and other issues.

Opponents of President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk rallied across the U.S. on Saturday, April 5, 2025, to protest the administration’s actions on government downsizing, the economy, human rights, and other issues. The protests, organized under the banner of "Hands Off!", were held in all 50 states, with more than 1,200 demonstrations planned by over 150 groups, including civil rights organizations, labor unions, LGBTQ+ advocates, veterans, and elections activists.

In Southern California, several local cities joined the national "Hands Off!" protest, including downtown Los Angeles, Pasadena, Torrance, Santa Ana, Riverside, Rancho Cucamonga, Santa Clarita, Claremont, Culver City, Laguna Beach, and Thousand Oaks. Thousands of people gathered in Pershing Square in downtown L.A. to demand the president stop what they termed an "assault on families, jobs, healthcare, and social security." The crowd later marched toward City Hall in Los Angeles.

Similar scenes unfolded in other major cities across the nation. In Washington, D.C., protesters gathered at the National Mall and other locations, assailing the Trump administration's moves to fire thousands of federal workers, close Social Security Administration field offices, deport immigrants, scale back protections for transgender people, and cut federal funding for health programs. Musk, who serves as the head of the newly created Department of Government Efficiency, has been a key figure in these government downsizing efforts.

The protests were organized in response to the Trump administration's policies, which have been widely criticized by opposition groups. The White House, however, maintains that the administration's actions are in the best interest of the U.S. and that the protests are a result of political opposition rather than genuine concerns.

The "Hands Off!" protests are part of a broader opposition movement against the Trump administration that has been active since the president's first inauguration. While the movement has yet to achieve a mass mobilization on the scale of the Women's March in 2017 or the Black Lives Matter demonstrations in 2020, Saturday's demonstrations were described by organizers as the largest since Trump returned to office in January.

The protests come amidst growing scrutiny of Elon Musk's political activities and influence. Musk has spent at least $119 million mobilizing Trump's supporters and has been investigated by the Securities and Exchange Commission for his role in a lawsuit over his efforts to dole out millions of dollars to registered voters. Additionally, concerns have been raised about Musk's communications with Russian President Vladimir Putin, given SpaceX's significant contracts with NASA and the Department of Defense.

The "Hands Off!" protests reflect a broader trend of political activism and public dissent in response to the Trump administration's policies. As the 2024 presidential election approaches, the influence of figures like Musk and the political climate surrounding the Trump administration will continue to be a focal point for investors and financial professionals.

Ask Aime: What are the implications of the "Hands Off!" protests on the market and economy?