Hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets across major European cities on Saturday to protest against U.S. President Donald Trump and his senior adviser Elon Musk. The protests followed a turbulent week for global financial markets after Trump announced sweeping new tariffs, sparking backlash both abroad and at home.
In Frankfurt, Germany, the protest titled “Hands Off!” was organized by Democrats Abroad, the official overseas arm of the U.S. Democratic Party. The rally at Frankfurt’s Opernplatz featured American expatriates calling for President Trump’s resignation, holding signs that read “Restore Democracy,” “Hands off our personal data,” and “The world is tired of your bullshit Donald, be gone!”
In Berlin, demonstrators gathered outside a Tesla showroom with messages aimed at Elon Musk, including “Shut up Elon, no one voted for you.” Musk, who serves as head of the Department of Government Efficiency under Trump’s administration, was criticized for his controversial role in shaping government policy. One protestor’s dog wore a humorous sign: “Dogs against DOGE,” referencing the department’s acronym and Musk’s infamous cryptocurrency affiliations.
The Berlin crowd also urged fellow Americans living in Germany to stand against “chaos in Washington,” with the demonstration acting as both a political rally and a call for voter engagement abroad.
In Paris, nearly 200 demonstrators—primarily U.S. citizens—gathered at the Place de la République. Protesters held banners reading “Resist Tyrant,” “Rule of Law,” and “Feminists for Freedom not Fascism.” A poignant musical performance of Bob Dylan’s “Masters of War” added emotional weight to the gathering.
Speakers at the event denounced what they described as attacks on democracy, judicial independence, and civil rights under the Trump administration.
Protests also unfolded in London and Lisbon, where demonstrators echoed similar frustrations. In London’s Trafalgar Square, a few hundred people held up placards such as “Proud American Ashamed” and “WTAF America?” The crowd chanted slogans including “Hands off Canada,” “Hands off Greenland,” and “Hands off Ukraine,” referencing Trump’s controversial foreign policy decisions and geopolitical comments.
The European protests reflect growing international concern about the direction of U.S. domestic and foreign policy under Trump’s second term. Demonstrators emphasized the importance of transatlantic solidarity and the role of American citizens abroad in advocating for democratic norms and global cooperation.
