Mass protests against President Donald Trump and his close ally Elon Musk unfolded across the U.S. on Saturday, with demonstrators gathering in Washington, D.C., and over 1,200 locations nationwide. Organizers said it was the largest single-day protest since Trump and Musk accelerated their sweeping government overhaul and expanded presidential authority.
Crowds filled the grassy expanse around the Washington Monument despite overcast skies and light rain. Event coordinators estimated over 20,000 attendees at the National Mall rally alone.
According to the event’s website, 150 activist organizations participated, with protests occurring across all 50 states, as well as in Canada and Mexico. Wayne Hoffman, a 73-year-old retired money manager from West Cape May, New Jersey, voiced concern over Trump’s economic policies, particularly his aggressive tariff strategy.
“These tariffs are going to hurt farmers in red states. They’re going to cost jobs and devastate 401(k) plans. People have already lost tens of thousands of dollars,” Hoffman said.
Meanwhile, 20-year-old Ohio intern Kyle, one of the few Trump supporters present, wore a “Make America Great Again” cap and engaged protesters in debate.
“Most people aren’t too hostile. A few have cursed at me,” said Kyle, who declined to give his last name.
As protests unfolded, Trump spent his Saturday in Florida, playing golf at his Jupiter club before returning to Mar-a-Lago. Just four miles away in West Palm Beach, over 400 demonstrators gathered in opposition, waving signs as passing cars honked in support.
One sign read, “Markets tank, Trump golfs.”
In Stamford, Connecticut, 84-year-old Sue-Ann Friedman held a bright pink handmade sign condemning cuts to medical research funding.
“I thought my protesting days were over, but then we get Trump and Musk,” she said.
Paul Kretschmann, a 74-year-old retired attorney, attended his first-ever protest, fearing Social Security cuts.
“My biggest concern is that Social Security will be gutted, our benefits will disappear, and there won’t even be staff left to run the system,” he said. “This all feels like part of a bigger plan to dismantle the government and consolidate Trump’s power.”
Government Overhaul Sparks Outrage
Under Trump’s direction, Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has slashed more than 200,000 federal jobs from the 2.3-million-person workforce. Critics say the drastic cuts have disrupted essential services, while Trump allies frame them as necessary to eliminate government waste.
On Friday, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced the layoffs of over 20,000 employees—nearly a quarter of its workforce.
In Baltimore, hundreds gathered outside the Social Security Administration headquarters to protest cuts targeting the agency responsible for benefits to seniors and disabled Americans.
Linda Falcao, nearing retirement, addressed the crowd.
“I’ve paid into Social Security since I was 16. Now I’m terrified, angry, and heartbroken. This is my money. I need it. I want it!” she said, prompting chants of “It’s our money!” from the crowd.
The White House dismissed claims that Trump intended to cut Social Security or Medicaid.
“President Trump has always stood firm in protecting Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid for eligible Americans,” said Assistant Press Secretary Liz Huston. “Meanwhile, Democrats want to bankrupt these programs by giving benefits to illegal immigrants.”
Legal battles continue to challenge Trump’s sweeping executive orders on civil service terminations, deportation policies, and LGBTQ+ rights rollbacks. His aggressive agenda has drawn comparisons to Project 2025, a conservative blueprint for reshaping U.S. governance to expand executive authority.
Protests Go Global
Before U.S. demonstrations even began, anti-Trump protests erupted overseas, with hundreds gathering in Berlin, Frankfurt, Paris, and London to denounce his administration’s policies.
Terry Klein, a retired biomedical scientist from Princeton, New Jersey, stood among the crowd in Washington, reflecting on the broader impact of Trump’s governance.
“I drove down here to protest everything—from immigration policies to the government layoffs, the tariffs, the attacks on education. Our institutions, everything that makes America what it is, are under siege,” she said.
As the day progressed, the crowd around the Washington Monument swelled. Some protesters carried Ukrainian flags, while others waved Palestinian keffiyehs and held “Free Palestine” banners. Onstage, Democratic lawmakers railed against Trump’s policies, rallying the crowd to resist his administration’s sweeping changes.
