Anti-trump Musk rallies sweep all 50 states in biggest protest since taking office

Washington (Reuters) - Massive protests erupted in cities across all 50 U.S. states on Saturday as tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets to oppose many of President Donald Trump's policies since taking office, particularly a series of moves by billionaire Elon Musk to cut the size of government and affect social welfare policies. It was the largest demonstration in the United States since President Trump returned to the White House.

According to US media estimates, on Saturday (April 5) across the United States, including Washington, New York, Houston, Los Angeles, Florida and Colorado and other states, there were more than 1,400 peaceful protest rallies called "Hands Off" (meaning "hands off", "hands off").

The national protest drew nearly 600,000 people, according to Indivisible, a progressive political campaign group, with some demonstrations reaching European cities such as London and Paris. The campaign was led by a coalition of civil rights organizations, veterans' groups, women's rights groups, labor unions, and advocates for women, minorities, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ+) people.

The protesters made three clear demands: "An end to billionaire control of government and the rampant corruption of the Trump administration; Preventing cuts to Medicaid, Social Security, and other federal funds that working Americans depend on; Stop attacking immigrants, transgender people and others."

"Whether taking action because democracy is threatened, jobs are being cut, privacy rights are being violated, or public services are being disrupted, this moment is for you... We are launching a big, high-profile national protest against this crisis."

Washington protesters: Trump is hollowing out government

Since taking office, Trump has imposed spending cuts through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which is headed by Musk, unilaterally promoted conservative values, exerted tremendous pressure on Allies on border and trade issues, and imposed tariffs on more than 100 trading partners around the world. A series of controversial measures not only angered many Americans, but also caused the US stock market to plunge.

"When our founding fathers wrote the Constitution, they didn't start the preamble with 'We are the dictators,' they started with 'We are the people,'" Rep. Tom Raskin, D-Md., told thousands of protesters at the Washington Monument. No moral person will support an economic destroyer who understands price but not value."

"We had about 100 people come in buses and vans from New Hampshire to protest this ridiculous administration that is costing us Allies around the world and bringing disaster to people here at home," said Koliflas, who joined the protest on the National Mall. They are hollowing out our government."

In Los Angeles, a female protester waved a banner reading "Get out of my womb" to protest President Trump's anti-abortion policies. In Denver, Colorado, a man held a sign that read "No Kings in America."

In a statement, the White House said, "President Trump's position is clear: He will always protect Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid for eligible beneficiaries." Meanwhile, the Democratic position is to extend these benefits to illegal immigrants, which will drain funding for these programs and crush older Americans."

"My policies will never change," Trump wrote on the Social media platform Truth Social on Friday.