“NOT My President’s Day” Celebrates with Massive Nationwide Protest Surge

Amid the federal holiday traditionally honoring U.S. presidents, thousands of Americans took to the streets on February 17, 2025, rebranding the occasion as “NOT My President’s Day” in a sweeping rejection of Donald Trump’s administration and the unprecedented influence of billionaire Elon Musk. Organized by the grassroots 50501 Movement—a coalition demanding “50 protests, 50 states, one movement”—demonstrators flooded state capitols, Tesla dealerships, and congressional offices nationwide, decrying what they called “anti-democratic power grabs” and “corporate oligarchy” .

The Protests: A Nationwide Roar Against Trump and Musk

From Los Angeles to Washington, D.C., protesters united under slogans like “No Kings Day” and “Reject Fascism,” targeting both Trump’s policies and Musk’s role as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Key demands included:

1. Impeachment of Trump over executive orders seen as eroding civil liberties and democratic norms .
2. Removal of Elon Musk from his unelected role overseeing federal agency cuts .
3. Restoration of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs dismantled by Trump’s orders .
4. Investigations into Project 2025, a conservative agenda linked to Trump appointees like Russell Vought, accused of pushing authoritarian reforms .

In Los Angeles, protesters outside City Hall held signs reading, “DOGE is Not Legit,” while in Jefferson City, Missouri, demonstrators questioned Musk’s access to Social Security data: “Why does Elon have your info???” The movement’s online traction was undeniable, with the hashtag #50501 amassing over 2 billion views, yet mainstream media coverage remained sparse, focusing more on logistical clashes than the protests’ core message .

Musk and Trump’s “Unlawful Power Grabs”: The Spark for Outrage

Protesters highlighted recent actions by Trump and Musk that critics argue bypass congressional oversight and threaten democratic institutions:

• Agency Shutdowns: Under Musk’s DOGE, agencies like USAID, the Department of Education, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau are being shuttered, with Trump’s approval but without congressional consent. Over 5,000 Health and Human Services employees and 10% of the CDC workforce have been laid off, including researchers focused on cancer and opioid addiction .
• Data Access Concerns: Musk’s team gained “read-only” access to Treasury systems, raising fears about privacy breaches and the politicization of economic data .
• Project 2025: This hard-right blueprint, authored by Trump allies, seeks to centralize executive power, purge federal workers, and roll back LGBTQ+ rights—mirrored in Trump’s orders banning transgender athletes and gender-affirming care for minors .
• Executive Overreach: Trump’s expansion of Musk’s DOGE authority via executive order drew bipartisan alarm, with Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) condemning layoffs at the Department of Veterans Affairs as “attacks on veterans’ health” .

Musk defended the cuts as “streamlining government,” while Trump praised DOGE for exposing “shocking waste.” Yet critics argue these moves prioritize corporate interests over public welfare, with Indivisible co-founder Ezra Levin noting, “The richest man in the world is coming after your Social Security” .

Media Blackout? Activists Decry Lack of Coverage

Despite the scale of the protests—with over 75 events reported—many participants criticized mainstream outlets for downplaying their message. While NPR and AP News covered the 50501 Movement’s earlier February 5 protests, Monday’s rallies received fragmented attention, overshadowed by debates over Musk’s “efficiency” narrative. Organizers like Sydney Wilson of the 50501 Movement accused media of “normalizing authoritarianism,” noting that even progressive groups like MoveOn and the Working Families Party struggled to amplify stories about frontline workers impacted by cuts .

Voices from the Ground

Protesters emphasized the personal stakes:

• Catie Miglietti (Ann Arbor, MI): “If we don’t stop Musk’s takeover, it’s an attack on democracy” .
• Kai Newkirk (Progressive Organizer): “We will not live under a king. This is an administrative coup” .
• Rev. Julie Conrady (Montgomery, AL): “Trump doesn’t have the power to define your identity” .

A Movement Building Momentum

The 50501 Movement vows to continue its resistance, with plans for rallies on March 5 and beyond. As Trump and Musk forge ahead with their agenda, these protests signal a growing coalition determined to defend democratic norms—one that refuses to be silenced, even if the cameras aren’t always rolling.

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For further details, visit NPR, AP News, or the 50501 Movement’s Reddit page.