“Hands Off!” Protests Against Trump and Musk Erupt Nationwide | April 5, 2025
Nationwide (WE) — April 5, 2025. Across the United States, thousands of people took to the streets on Saturday to send a loud, clear message to President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk: “Hands Off!”
From major cities to small towns, the “Hands Off!” movement rolled out more than 1,200 protests, organized by over 150 different groups. People came from all walks of life — civil rights activists, labor unions, LGBTQ+ advocates, veterans, teachers, sen-iors, and healthcare workers. They gathered to stand up against what they see as a dangerous turn in American politics under the Trump administration, and they’re not holding back.
What’s Behind the Protests?
These rallies weren’t just about one issue — they were about many things coming together. Protesters voiced concerns over the Trump administration’s aggressive downsizing of the government. Thousands of federal workers are losing their jobs, and Social Security offices are shutting down across the country. Entire agencies are being gutted. On top of that, funding cuts to healthcare programs — especially those that serve vulnerable communities — have many people deeply concerned.
But there’s another name that keeps coming up right alongside Trump: Elon Musk.
Musk, who already heads Tesla, SpaceX, and owns the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), is now leading the Department of Government Efficiency — a new agency created to shrink government spending and “streamline” services. Musk claims he’s saving taxpayers billions of dollars, but protesters say it’s all coming at a terrible human cost.
“He’s not streamlining. He’s steamrolling,” said one protester in Chicago. “We’re not some numbers in a spreadsheet. We’re people.”
“This Is Personal”: Washington, D.C. Rallies Lead the Way
In the heart of the nation’s capital, thousands gathered at the National Mall, waving handmade signs and chanting in unison. The crowd was fired up but peaceful, determined but hopeful.
One of the loudest voices was Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign. She didn’t hold back when she took the stage:
“The attacks that we’re seeing — they’re not just political. They are personal, y’all,” Robinson said. “They’re trying to ban our books, they’re slashing HIV prevention funding, they’re criminalizing our doctors, our teachers, our families and our lives. This is Donald Trump’s America and I don’t want it, y’all. We don’t want this America. We want the America we deserve, where dignity, safety, and freedom belong not to some of us, but to all of us.”
The crowd erupted in applause and cheers, many visibly moved by her words. LGBTQ+ flags waved in the air, as chants of “Hands Off Our Rights!” echoed through the capital.
From Manhattan to Miami — the Movement Spreadsk
In New York City, thousands marched through midtown Manhattan, despite the gray skies and cold wind. Their signs said it all: “Hands Off Our Democracy,” “Diversity Makes Us Strong,” and “No Billionaire Takeover.”
One participant, a teacher from Brooklyn, said she came out not just for herself but for her students.
“They’re slashing education funding, cutting lunch programs, and now they’re talking about turning schools into profit centers,” she said. “How are kids supposed to learn if they’re hungry and scared?”
In Boston, the scene was equally intense. Thousands more filled the Boston Common, holding hands, holding signs, and holding onto hope. A student group from nearby Cambridge brought a giant banner that read: “The Future Is Watching.”
Over in Ohio, hundreds rallied through the pouring rain in Columbus. One of them was Roger Broom, a 66-year-old retiree who said he used to be a Reagan Republican.
“He’s tearing this country apart,” Broom said, shaking his head. “It’s just an administration of grievances. Everything is personal with him. If you disagree, you’re the enemy.”
Broom wasn’t alone. Older Americans were a big part of many protests, particularly as concerns grow about Social Security and Medicare under Trump’s second term.
Down South: Protesting Near Trump’s Favorite Golf Course
In Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, the rally took on a different tone — partly because it was held just a few miles from Trump’s golf course in Jupiter, where the president was spending the morning at a tournament. Protesters lined both sides of PGA Drive, holding signs and waving flags.
Cars honked in support. Some drivers rolled down their windows to shout encouragement. Others joined in the chants: “Hands off our health care!” and “Elon, go home!”
Archer Moran, a protester from Port St. Lucie, wasn’t pulling punches.
“They need to keep their hands off of our Social Security,” Moran said. “And that’s just the beginning. The list of what they need to keep their hands off of is too long. It’s amazing how soon these protests are happening since he’s taken office.”
Despite the sunshine, the mood was serious. People here weren’t just upset — they were worried.
White House Response: “We’ll Protect Sen-iors”
Asked about the nationwide protests, the White House released a statement saying President Trump was committed to protecting Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid — but with a twist.
“President Trump’s position is clear: he will always protect Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid for eligible beneficiaries,” the statement read. “Meanwhile, the Democrats’ stance is giving Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare benefits to illegal aliens, which will bankrupt these programs and crush American seniors.”
The response didn’t sit well with protesters. Many say they see through what they call “fear tactics” and “deflection.”
“This administration is scapegoating immigrants to distract from the real issue,” said a protester in Los Angeles. “The billionaires are draining the system and blaming the poor.”
No Stranger to Protests: The Trump & Musk Era
This isn’t the first time large groups have protested Trump or Musk. The Women’s March in 2017 was a huge moment, bringing hundreds of thousands of people to Washington. The Black Lives Matter protests in 2020 spread worldwide.
But while “Hands Off!” might not have reached those numbers yet, organizers say this is just the beginning.
“This is not a one-time thing,” said Sara Lin, an organizer from Seattle. “This is a growing movement. Every week we’re seeing more people get involved, more cities organizing, more stories coming out about the damage being done. We’re not going away.”
Read More:
- Amazon Joins the Race to Buy TikTok Amid Threat of U.S. Ban
- Elon Musk May Soon Leave DOGE, Trump Hints at Exit
- The Average Social Security Benefit at Ages 62, 67, and 70 in 2025
Charlotte: “What’s Happening Is Abhorrent”
In Charlotte, North Carolina, hundreds more gathered to speak out. One voice that stood out was Britt Castillo, 35, a local educator who said she was tired of the chaos.
“Regardless of your party, regardless of who you voted for, what’s going on today is abhorrent,” she said. “It’s disgusting. And as broken as our current system might be, the way that the current administration is going about trying to fix things — it is not the way to do it. They’re not listening to the people.”
She added:
“All they’re doing is making sure that they have a parachute for them and their rich friends. Everyone else — the ones who make this country actually work — are just getting screwed at the end of the day.”
Castillo’s words drew nods and murmurs of agreement from the crowd.
What’s Next for the Movement?
“Hands Off!” organizers say they’re just getting started. The next steps include:
- Voter registration drives
- Phone banking campaigns
- Town hall events
- More protests timed around legislative sessions
- A national day of action planned for summer
Some groups are even pushing for investigations into Musk’s growing influence in government and potential conflicts of interest.
“He’s got his hands in everything,” said a protester in Austin, Texas. “Space travel, electric cars, social media, AI, and now public policy? It’s too much power for one person.”
A Country Divided, But Still Standing Together
The protests show a growing frustration with the current administration, but they also show something else — solidarity.
People came out in wheelchairs, pushing strollers, carrying signs in multiple languages. There were religious groups, climate activists, artists, students, nurses, veterans. Some marched silently. Others danced and sang. But all were united in one message: “Hands Off!”
Whether the movement can build momentum like the Women’s March or Black Lives Matter remains to be seen. But for now, one thing is clear: Americans are speaking up — and they’re not going quiet any time soon.
Looking Ahead
Organizers have indicated that the April 5 protests are just the beginning of a sustained campaign to oppose the Trump administration’s agenda. Plans are already underway for future demonstrations, voter registration drives, and other forms of civic engagement aimed at influencing policy and promoting democratic values.
The “Hands Off!” protests represent a significant moment in contemporary American politics, reflecting deep-seated concerns about the direction of the country under President Trump and the influence of figures like Elon Musk. As the administration continues to implement its policies, it faces growing resistance from various groups across the nation.
