Thousands protest Trump and Musk's policies across the U.S.
Thousands of people gathered in Washington D.C. and other American cities on Saturday, marking the largest day of protests against President Donald Trump and his billionaire ally, Elon Musk.
According to organizers, more than 1,200 demonstrations were planned across all 50 states, including Canada and Mexico, with over 20,000 participants expected in the U.S. capital alone, according to Reuters.
The protests were sparked by a series of controversial decisions made by the Trump administration, such as massive layoffs in the federal government, trade and social policies, and Elon Musk's involvement in restructuring federal institutions through his team, DOGE – the "Department of Government Efficiency." Supported by the president, Musk's team has already eliminated over 200,000 federal jobs.
A key source of public outrage stemmed from the announcement that more than 20,000 employees of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) had been laid off, while the Social Security Administration – one of the main targets of the reform – also started its restructuring.
"I’m terrified and angry. I’ve been contributing to the pension system since I was 16, and now I’m at risk of receiving nothing," said Linda Falcao, 64, at a rally near Baltimore.
At the same time, hundreds of protests occurred globally. In European cities like Berlin, Frankfurt, Paris, and London, Americans abroad and democracy supporters gathered to voice their opposition to Trump’s direction for the U.S.
In Washington, protesters waved Ukrainian and Palestinian flags, held anti-tariff placards, criticized cuts to research funding, and condemned efforts to limit minority rights.
Trump, who disrupted financial markets and caused international unrest with a wave of trade tariffs this week, spent the day in Florida, playing golf at his club in Jupiter before returning to his Mar-a-Lago resort in the afternoon.
About 6 kilometers from Mar-a-Lago, in West Palm Beach, more than 400 demonstrators gathered on a sunny day to protest. Drivers honked in support of protesters dressed in pastels and khaki. "Markets are collapsing, Trump plays golf," read one sign.
In response, the White House issued a statement through spokeswoman Liz Huston, saying that Trump "will always protect social benefits for eligible citizens," accusing the Democratic Party of seeking to extend these benefits to illegal immigrants, which would lead to the collapse of the system.
The protests come at a time when Trump is implementing a series of swift and radical measures, inspired by the conservative political plan Project 2025, aimed at expanding presidential powers and reducing the influence of traditional state institutions.
While his supporters argue that a "system overhaul" is necessary, critics say these actions pose a real threat to American democracy and institutional balance.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
