Demonstrations were held across multiple European capitals on Saturday, as hundreds of protesters rallied against U.S. President Donald Trump and his senior adviser Elon Musk.
The events were part of a wider international protest movement opposing recent policy decisions by the White House, particularly the announcement of new global tariffs.
Protests under the banner “Hands Off!” took place in cities including Paris, Frankfurt, Berlin, London, and Lisbon. The demonstrations, although varied in scale, shared similar themes, focusing on opposition to President Trump’s leadership style, concerns over the role of Elon Musk in U.S. governance, and disapproval of the administration’s recent economic and trade measures.
In Frankfurt, demonstrators gathered at Opernplatz in the city centre. The event was organised by Democrats Abroad, the official overseas arm of the U.S. Democratic Party. Participants, many of them American expatriates, held signs reading “Restore Democracy”, “Hands off our personal data”, and “The world is tired of your bullshit Donald, be gone!” The protest followed a week of volatility in financial markets, attributed in part to President Trump’s announcement of new tariffs affecting major global trading partners.
Further north, in Berlin, protesters assembled outside a Tesla showroom. In addition to expressing opposition to Trump, slogans were directed at Elon Musk, who currently oversees the Department of Government Efficiency in the second Trump administration. The department, aimed at reducing federal spending waste, has drawn criticism for its opaque operations and perceived lack of democratic oversight. Placards at the Berlin protest read “Shut up Elon, no one voted for you,” while one participant brought a dog wearing a sign that read “Dogs against DOGE,” in reference to Musk’s influence and the acronym of the department he heads.
In Paris, around 200 people gathered at the Place de la République. The crowd, predominantly composed of American citizens, displayed signs such as “Resist Tyrant”, “Rule of Law”, “Feminists for Freedom not Fascism”, and “Save Democracy”. Several demonstrators delivered speeches, and one protester performed Bob Dylan’s Masters of War, a 1963 anti-war song often associated with broader dissent against authority. The atmosphere was reported to be peaceful but defiant.
London also saw a protest at Trafalgar Square, drawing several hundred participants. Slogans included “Proud American Ashamed” and “WTAF America?” (a slang acronym expressing disbelief or disapproval). Protesters chanted “Hands off Canada”, “Hands off Greenland”, and “Hands off Ukraine”, referencing countries recently affected by or implicated in White House rhetoric and foreign policy. The event featured public speeches by British and American activists critical of the Trump administration’s approach to international relations.
In Lisbon, a smaller demonstration echoed the sentiments expressed in the larger cities, forming part of a decentralised but coordinated day of action.
The protests come in the wake of economic uncertainty triggered by the Trump administration’s imposition of tariffs on a range of foreign goods. The move has drawn criticism from trading partners and economists, who warn of retaliatory measures and disruption to global supply chains.
Elon Musk’s involvement in U.S. domestic policy has also provoked concern, particularly among American expatriates in Europe. Musk, who in his advisory role holds responsibilities for federal efficiency reforms, has been accused by critics of wielding disproportionate influence without a formal electoral mandate.
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