Troublemakers is one of the groups behind #TeslaTakedown, an escalating campaign of peaceful protests outside Tesla dealerships across the country. They’re targeting Musk as his Department of Government Efficiency continues to slash federal jobs and restructure agencies, purportedly in an effort to root out waste, fraud and abuse. 

The peaceful activism, along with scattered incidents of vandalism against Tesla dealerships and cars, appears to be making a dent in the finances of the wealthiest man on earth. Musk has publicly lashed out against these protests, claiming without evidence that wealthy bad actors are paying people to show up. 

Valerie Costa, a Seattle-based co-founder of Troublemakers, is familiar with these allegations. Last month, Musk claimed on his platform X that Costa’s group was funded by the Democratic fundraising platform ActBlue. 

The next day he linked to an interview with her and simply stated, “Costa is committing crimes.” This has upended her life but it hasn’t deterred her activism.

Guest:

Valerie Costa

Related Links:


A Tesla protester targeted by Elon Musk speaks out: 'I have to protect myself'

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Troublemakers is one of the groups behind #TeslaTakedown, an escalating campaign of peaceful protests outside Tesla dealerships across the country. They&rsquo;re targeting Musk as his Department of Government Efficiency continues to slash federal jobs and restructure agencies, purportedly in an effort to root out waste, fraud and abuse.&nbsp;
The peaceful activism, along with scattered incidents of vandalism against Tesla dealerships and cars, appears to be making a dent in the finances of the wealthiest man on earth. Musk has publicly lashed out against these protests, claiming without evidence that wealthy bad actors are paying people to show up.&nbsp;
Valerie Costa, a Seattle-based co-founder of Troublemakers, is familiar with these allegations. Last month, Musk claimed on his platform X that Costa&rsquo;s group was funded by the Democratic fundraising platform ActBlue.&nbsp;
The next day he linked to an interview with her and simply stated, &ldquo;Costa is committing crimes.&rdquo; This has upended her life but it hasn&rsquo;t deterred her activism.
Guest:
Valerie Costa
Related Links: 
<a href="https://www.npr.org/2025/03/17/nx-s1-5328626/elon-musk-protests-tesla-takedown">A Tesla protester targeted by Elon Musk speaks out: 'I have to protect myself'</a>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to <a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Soundside

Troublemakers is one of the groups behind #TeslaTakedown, an escalating campaign of peaceful protests outside Tesla dealerships across the country. 

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