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98-year-old veteran uses WWII tank to protest Elon Musk in symbolic action against far-right in Europe
A 98-year-old British veteran of the Second World War turned heads by driving a restored Sherman tank over a Tesla Model 3 at a political protest in rural England. The action was organized by activist group Led By Donkeys as a direct criticism of Elon Musk and his alleged support for the European far right.
Symbolic and historical act
The crushed car, with a sign reading “FASCISM,” served as a symbol of the protest’s target: the perceived link between Musk and authoritarian movements.
The tank used was a Sherman, a military vehicle used by the Allies in the fight against European fascism in the 1940s. The scene was planned to evoke the historical past of the democratic struggle and contrast it with the billionaire's current political alliances.
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Ken Turner, the veteran responsible for the act, was decorated for his participation in the Allied campaign in Europe. Before taking the wheel of the tank, he made a firm statement: “We have defeated fascism before and we will defeat it again."
Criticism of Musk's political alignment
The protest was not just a visual event. It was political theater designed to show concern about what activists see as a dangerous ideological trajectory. For Turner and his supporters, Elon Musk was using his power and wealth to support far-right parties and ideas.
In his statement, Turner said: “Elon Musk, the world's richest man, is using his immense power to support the far right in Europe.” He also pointed out that Tesla’s money, in the group’s view, finances the advancement of authoritarian policies.
Viralization and reaction in Europe
Video of the protest went viral on social media, drawing attention to Musk's alleged support for the German party Alternative for Germany (AfD).
The businessman's public performance has also been associated with political figures in the United Kingdom and the United States, especially through his closeness to Donald Trump's 2025 campaign.
In Germany, AfD leaders have praised his statements and behavior on social media. In the UK, Musk has been linked to people who challenge traditional institutions, which has been seen as indirect support for reactionary populism.
History of protests against Musk
This isn't the first time Elon Musk and Tesla have been the target of such demonstrations. In 2024, the Led By Donkeys group teamed up with the German collective Centre for Political Beauty to project an image of Musk onto Tesla's Gigafactory in Berlin. The image showed the businessman in a pose similar to the Nazi salute, accompanied by the phrase "Heil Tesla."
Musk responded to the move by calling it “performance madness.” However, the incident reinforced the perception that the Tesla brand is being politically polarized in Europe.
Impact on sales and reputation
The impact of these actions can already be felt in the numbers. Tesla's sales in Europe fell sharply in the first quarter of 2025. Analysts point out that the damage to the company's reputation may be a key cause of this decline.
In countries like Germany, France and the Nordic countries, where historical memories of authoritarianism are strong, consumer sentiment is being affected. Musk's image as a neutral innovator is being replaced by an ideological figure.
Reactions spread across the continent
The protests didn’t stop there. In France, the Dernière Rénovation group blocked Tesla charging stations, accusing them of “fascist greenwashing.” In Sweden, unions organized strikes against the company’s refusal to accept collective bargaining, calling Musk a “corporate autocrat.”
In Italy, left-wing students protested outside a Tesla dealership in Milan. They held up banners reading: “Kings of Technology, Not Kings of the People".
As the protests spread, Elon Musk is being seen by many not just as a businessman, but as a political figure who faces open opposition from activists, veterans and workers across Europe.
With information from Interesting Engineering.
