On Saturday, numerous protests erupted across various European cities against U.S. President Donald Trump and his advisor Elon Musk. This wave of demonstrations followed a tumultuous week for global financial markets after Trump announced substantial tariffs that stirred discontent. In Frankfurt, Germany, the “Hands Off!”
protest was organized by Democrats Abroad, the Democratic Party’s official organization for Americans living overseas. Gathered at Opernplatz, attendees held signs demanding Trump’s resignation, with slogans such as “Restore Democracy” and “Hands off our personal data.” The sentiments expressed reflected a broader frustration with Trump’s leadership, encapsulated in statements like, “The world is tired of your bullshit Donald, be gone!” Meanwhile, in Berlin, a demonstration outside a Tesla showroom showcased protesters urging fellow Americans in Germany to join their cause for “an end to the chaos” back home.
The placards directed at Musk were particularly biting, with messages like, “Shut up Elon, no one voted for you.” One playful touch included a dog wearing a sign that read “Dogs against DOGE,” which humorously critiqued Musk’s governmental initiatives. Paris also witnessed a protest where around 200 mostly American individuals congregated at Place de la République. Speakers denounced Trump while participants waved banners with slogans such as “Resist Tyrant” and “Save Democracy.” One performer even serenaded the crowd with Bob Dylan’s “Masters of War,” adding a musical layer to the political dissent.
Further protests were seen in other major cities, including London and Lisbon. In London’s Trafalgar Square, hundreds voiced their discontent with placards like “Proud American Ashamed” and chanted slogans such as “Hands off Canada” and “Hands off Ukraine,” underscoring their opposition to Trump’s foreign policies and approach to governance.