Protesters Smash Tesla in London Art Installation Targeting Elon Musk and Wealth Inequality
Wearing protective gear and gripping sledgehammers, a group of Elon Musk critics gathered in south London to take part in a provocative public art performance aimed at the world’s richest man. The event, organised by the campaign group Everyone Hates Elon, offered participants the chance to physically destroy a Tesla vehicle as a symbolic gesture of resistance against billionaire power, far-right politics, and growing global inequality.
The centrepiece of the demonstration was a disused 2014 Tesla Model S—donated anonymously—which the group said was “destined for the scrapheap.” The vehicle, estimated to be worth around £14,000, was smashed repeatedly by attendees using sledgehammers and baseball bats. The event was hosted at Hardess Studios in south London and was described by organisers as a safe, supervised act of protest designed to provoke dialogue.
“This was about giving Londoners a chance to stand up to far-right hatred and billionaires,” a spokesperson for the campaign said. “Therapy is expensive, but this is free.”
The car, stripped of its battery for safety and recycling purposes, will be auctioned in the coming weeks. Proceeds will be donated to food bank charities supporting vulnerable communities across the UK.
Among the participants was 32-year-old writer Talia Denisenko, who wore a Ukrainian flag while striking the car to the beat of Britney Spears’s Hit Me Baby One More Time, which played from nearby speakers. “My family is Ukrainian, and Elon Musk wants to keep us occupied,” she said. “Things feel very disempowering at the moment. This is a little bit of therapy.”
Another protester, Alice Rogers, a 24-year-old researcher at the University of Cambridge originally from Illinois, voiced concerns over Musk’s influence in US politics. “Musk is acting in ways that violate our constitution. He’s gutting agencies and cutting USAID. I’m not normally a smasher, but that felt really cathartic.”
Lee Woods, a 45-year-old lecturer who travelled from Hampshire, said he felt compelled to participate. “I’m just aghast at what I see going on in America at the moment. I think Musk is using his obscene wealth to promote the far right.”
The campaign group clarified that the event was conducted under strict supervision with appropriate safety protocols. “This is a private, controlled art installation involving a scrap vehicle. We strongly urge the public not to damage any other Teslas or cars.”
The demonstration comes amid growing backlash against Musk, who now leads the controversial Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under the Trump administration. His task: dramatically reduce government agencies and national spending. Critics argue that the department is a thinly veiled vehicle for dismantling public services and consolidating political power.
Tesla’s stock price has reflected the public sentiment shift, dropping 13% in the first quarter of 2025. Campaigns like Tesla Takedown have emerged globally, calling for boycotts and staging protests at Tesla showrooms across the US and Europe.
Giles Pearson, 32, who delivered the event’s first symbolic blow to the vehicle, said his perception of Musk has drastically changed in recent years. “Since he bought Twitter, he’s veered hard right and alienated so many people. I’d never normally do something like this… but I’ve always wanted to smash a car.”
Tesla was approached for comment regarding the protest but has not responded.
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In March 2025, a significant incident occurred in East London involving a Tesla vehicle. The car mounted the pavement on Mile End Road near Stepney Green, colliding with pedestrians before striking a lamppost and traffic light. Seven individuals were injured in the crash, including the driver and six pedestrians. Two of the victims were transported to major trauma centres, while the remaining five received treatment at local hospitals. LBC+1The Standard+1The Standard
Emergency services responded promptly, with the first paramedic arriving within seven minutes of the incident. The London Ambulance Service dispatched multiple crews, including a trauma team from London’s Air Ambulance. The London Fire Brigade also attended the scene to manage the aftermath. The Standard+1LBC+1LBC+1The Standard+1
The Metropolitan Police have stated that no arrests have been made, and investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the crash. As of now, it remains unclear whether vehicle malfunction, driver error, or other factors contributed to the incident. LBC
This event has intensified discussions surrounding the safety of Tesla vehicles, particularly concerning their autonomous driving features. While it is not confirmed whether the Tesla involved was operating under any autonomous mode at the time, the incident has prompted calls for thorough investigations into the safety protocols of such vehicles.
In a separate event in April 2025, a group of Elon Musk critics in London participated in a public art project titled “London vs Musk,” where they destroyed a 2014 Tesla Model S with sledgehammers and baseball bats. Organised by the campaign group Everyone Hates Elon, the protest aimed to express dissent against wealth inequality and Musk’s political affiliations. The destroyed vehicle, valued at £14,000, was set to be auctioned, with proceeds going to food bank charities. The Guardian+1YouTube+1
These incidents reflect the growing public scrutiny and debate over Tesla’s role in automotive safety and the broader societal implications of its leadership’s actions.
