Nationwide Protests Planned Targeting Trump & Musk on Presidents Day/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ On Presidents Day, protests will take place across the United States, led by the 50501 Movement, a grassroots effort against President Donald Trump’s policies and Elon Musk’s role in his administration. Organizers say they are demonstrating against executive orders that cut federal agencies and the influence of Project 2025, a conservative policy blueprint. Protests are scheduled at state capitols and in Washington, D.C., with organizers expecting a large turnout.
Presidents Day Protests: Quick Look
- Who’s Organizing? The 50501 Movement, an activist network demanding government accountability.
- Where & When? Protests planned in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., on Monday.
- Key Demands:
- Investigate Trump’s policies and executive orders.
- Remove Elon Musk from his government position.
- Reinstate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
- Strengthen anti-discrimination laws.
- Supporters: The protests have backing from Political Revolution, Smart Girls, and Democratic lawmakers.
Nationwide Protests Planned Targeting Trump & Musk on Presidents Day
Deep Look: Why Americans Are Protesting on Presidents Day
Protests against President Trump and his policies will take place across the United States on Presidents Day, as thousands rally in opposition to executive orders, government cuts, and Elon Musk’s political role.
The demonstrations are organized by the 50501 Movement, which stands for “50 protests, 50 states, 1 movement.” This is the group’s second nationwide protest, following an event on February 5 that attracted thousands of participants across 88 cities.
“We are going out and protesting because we are concerned by our current president’s actions,” Wilson told NPR. “We figured it was a nice little punch.”
How the 50501 Movement Started
The idea for a 50-state protest originated on Reddit in late January, gaining traction on social media platforms like X, TikTok, and Discord.
The first protest on February 5 drew thousands of people to state capitols in Connecticut, Colorado, Hawaii, and beyond. Organizers estimate that nearly 80 protests were held.
Key demands included:
- Investigating Trump’s executive orders and his administration’s ties to Project 2025.
- Removing Elon Musk from his role leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
- Reinstating DEI policies that were rescinded by executive orders.
Wilson says that this Presidents Day protest will have an even larger turnout.
“We are still very much calling for the removal of Elon Musk,” Wilson said. “We find it very concerning that a non-government official has the access that he does.”
The group also wants an investigation into Trump’s appointees, including Russell Vought, a key figure behind Project 2025—a conservative blueprint for reducing federal oversight and regulations.
Who Is Supporting the 50501 Protests?
- Political Revolution, a group founded by supporters of Sen. Bernie Sanders, is helping to coordinate demonstrations.
- Smart Girls, the activist group started by Amy Poehler and Meredith Walker, has promoted the protests.
- Local and state Democratic lawmakers have participated, including Michigan state House Democrats who joined February 5 protests.
The movement has gained massive online traction, with:
- Over 102,000 Reddit members
- More than 7,000 Discord participants
Why Protest Against Elon Musk?
One of the movement’s central demands is Elon Musk’s removal from his government position.
- Musk was appointed by Trump to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
- DOGE has pushed for massive federal cuts, including the elimination of entire agencies such as the Department of Education.
- Activists argue Musk’s influence is dangerous, with Wilson saying:
“This administration cares more about profit than people.”
What’s Next for the 50501 Movement?
Wilson confirmed that the group plans to hold more protests in the future, with ongoing efforts to:
- Pressure Congress to investigate Trump’s policies.
- Expand organizing efforts in key battleground states.
- Coordinate more protests leading into the 2026 midterms.
Final Thoughts: A Growing Resistance Movement?
As Trump reshapes federal agencies, the 50501 Movement is emerging as a powerful grassroots force. With growing protests and political mobilization, this movement could play a significant role in shaping opposition to Trump’s second term.
