“Hands Off” Protests Against President Donald Trump, Elon Musk Across the US

In a national protest dubbed “Hands Off,” demonstrators from New York to Alaska poured into city streets on Saturday, April 5, to send a direct message to President Donald Trump and the nation’s unelected leader, aspiring restaurateur and alleged deadbeat dad Elon Musk.

Given Trump’s plummeting approval ratings and Musk’s, well, whole anti-charismatic deal (to put it charitably), it’s hardly surprising that the entire country became one big Tesla lot. As Vanity Fair reported earlier, over 500,000 people had expressed early interest in a local protest. The final number of participants has yet to be tallied, which is unsurprising given the magnitude of the demonstrations, but early estimates put the participant number in the millions.

“They’re dismantling our country. They’re looting our government. And they think we’ll just watch,” the Hands Off! website says as an explanation for the civil action.

“They want to strip America for parts—shuttering Social Security offices, firing essential workers, eliminating consumer protections, and gutting Medicaid—all to bankroll their billionaire tax scam. They’re handing over our tax dollars, our public services, and our democracy to the ultra-rich.”

In response to the national protests, the White House said via statement, “President Trump’s position is clear: he will always protect Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid for eligible beneficiaries. Meanwhile, the Democrats’ stance is giving Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare benefits to illegal aliens, which will bankrupt these programs and crush American seniors.”

Despite the large number of people flooding the streets, the AP reports that most demonstrations appeared peaceful, with no arrests reported as of midday Sunday. Scroll on to see photos from Saturday’s demonstrations across the US.

Atlanta, Georgia

Demonstrators attend nationwide “Hands Off!” protest against US President Donald Trump and his advisor, Tesla CEO Elon Musk at Liberty Plaza on April 05, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Carol Lee Rose/Getty Images

Demonstrators attend nationwide “Hands Off!” protest against US President Donald Trump and his advisor, Tesla CEO Elon Musk at Liberty Plaza on April 05, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Carol Lee Rose/Getty Images

Demonstrators attend nationwide “Hands Off!” protest against US President Donald Trump and his advisor, Tesla CEO Elon Musk at Liberty Plaza on April 05, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Carol Lee Rose/Getty Images

Demonstrators attend nationwide “Hands Off!” protest against US President Donald Trump and his advisor, Tesla CEO Elon Musk at Liberty Plaza on April 05, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Carol Lee Rose/Getty Images

Boston, Massachusetts

Demonstrators gather at city hall during the “Hands Off Massachusetts! Rally/March” in Boston, Massachusetts, on April 5, 2025. Thousands of people descended on Washington’s National Mall and other cities across the United States in opposition to the policies of Donald Trump, in the largest protests since he returned to the presidency.

JOSEPH PREZIOSO/Getty Images

Thousands of demonstrators gather on Boston Common during the “Hands Off Massachusetts! Rally/March” in Boston, Massachusetts, on April 5, 2025. Thousands of people descended on Washington’s National Mall and other cities across the United States in opposition to the policies of Donald Trump, in the largest protests since he returned to the presidency.

JOSEPH PREZIOSO/Getty Images

Demonstrators gather on Boston Common, cheering and chanting slogans, during the nationwide “Hands Off!” protest against US President Donald Trump and his advisor, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, in Boston, Massachusetts on April 5, 2025.

JOSEPH PREZIOSO/Getty Images

Costumed demonstrators gather on Boston Common during the “Hands Off Massachusetts! Rally/March” in Boston, Massachusetts, on April 5, 2025. Thousands of people descended on Washington’s National Mall and other cities across the United States in opposition to the policies of Donald Trump, in the largest protests since he returned to the presidency.

JOSEPH PREZIOSO/Getty Images

Chicago, Illinois

Thousands gather in Chicago’s streets to protest President Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s policies, joining over 1,400 rallies across the US on April 5, 2025. The ‘Hands Off!’ movement is a response to Trump and Musk’s policies, which many see as an attack on American values and freedoms. Protesters demand an end to the slashing of jobs, invasion of privacy, and assault on services, calling for a return to democratic values.

Anadolu/Getty Images

Dallas, Texas

Demonstrators spell out “Hands Off” during the national protest on the lawn at Dealy Plaza in downtown on April 5, 2025 in Dallas, Texas. Protests against Trump administration policies and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are being held nationwide in what organizers are calling a National Day of Action.

Jan Sonnenmair/Getty Images

People march through downtown in protest against the Trump administration’s immigration policies during the “2025 Mega March” on March 30, 2025 in Dallas, Texas. The League of United Latin American Citizens organized a march calling for bipartisan immigration reform.

Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Protesters in their car join in with the crowds on the lawn at Dealy Plaza on April 5, 2025 in Dallas,Texas. Protests against Trump administration policies and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are being held nationwide in what organizers are calling a National Day of Action.

Jan Sonnenmair/Getty Images

Protesters hold signs during a demonstration near Dealy Plaza on April 5, 2025 in Dallas, Texas. Protests against Trump administration policies and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are being held nationwide in what organizers are calling a National Day of Action.

Jan Sonnenmair/Getty Images

Detroit, Michigan

Protesters gather as part off the nationwide “Hands Off!” protest against US President Donald Trump and his advisor, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, in Novi, Michigan USA, on Saturday, April 5, 2025.

NurPhoto/Getty Images

Protesters gather as part off the nationwide “Hands Off!” protest against US President Donald Trump and his advisor, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, in Novi, Michigan USA, on Saturday, April 5, 2025.

NurPhoto/Getty Images

Protesters gather as part off the nationwide “Hands Off!” protest against US President Donald Trump and his advisor, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, in Novi, Michigan USA, on Saturday, April 5, 2025.

NurPhoto/Getty Images

Protesters gather locally as part off the nationwide “Hands Off!” protest against US President Donald Trump and his advisor, Tesla CEO Elon Musk in opposition to the policies of Donald Trump, in Novi, Michigan USA, on Saturday, April 5, 2025.

NurPhoto/Getty Images

Los Angeles, California

A protester holds a rainbow flag during the nationwide “Hands Off!” protest against US President Donald Trump and his advisor, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, in downtown Los Angeles on April 5, 2025.

ETIENNE LAURENT/Getty Images

Protesters hold signs during the nationwide “Hands Off!” protest against US President Donald Trump and his advisor, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, in downtown Los Angeles on April 5, 2025.

ETIENNE LAURENT/Getty Images

A large balloon with an image of US President Donald Trump is seen above protesters holding signs during the nationwide “Hands Off!” protest against Trump and his advisor, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, in downtown Los Angeles on April 5, 2025.

ETIENNE LAURENT/Getty Images

Protesters hold signs as they march during the nationwide “Hands Off!” protest against Trump and his advisor, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, in downtown Los Angeles on April 5, 2025.

ETIENNE LAURENT/Getty Images

A large balloon with an image of US President Donald Trump floats above a proteser dressed as a character from “The Handmaid’s Tale” during the nationwide “Hands Off!” protest against Trump and his advisor, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, in downtown Los Angeles on April 5, 2025.

ETIENNE LAURENT/Getty Images

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