Thousands of protesters gathered in Washington, D.C., and cities across the United States on Saturday, marking one of the largest single-day demonstrations against President Donald Trump and his close ally, billionaire Elon Musk. The protests were part of an estimated 1,200 rallies across the country, including in all 50 states, as well as in Canada and Mexico. The gatherings were fueled by public outrage over Trump’s policies, including his economic decisions and the deepening influence of Musk on the U.S. government.
In Washington, D.C., thousands of demonstrators braved gloomy skies and light rain to protest on the National Mall. Organizers had estimated that more than 20,000 people would join the rally, which included over 150 activist groups from various sectors of society. As people gathered around the iconic Washington Monument, the atmosphere was charged with anger over a range of issues from immigration policies to trade tariffs, and the increasing concentration of power within the presidency.
Terry Klein, a retired biomedical scientist from Princeton, New Jersey, was among those who attended the rally. She spoke about her reasons for protesting, explaining that Trump’s policies were undermining key aspects of American society. “I’m here to protest Trump’s policies on everything—from immigration to the DOGE stuff to the tariffs this week, to education. Our whole country is under attack,” Klein said, voicing frustration over what she described as an attack on American institutions.
The crowd at the National Mall continued to grow as the day went on, with some attendees waving Ukrainian flags, others wearing Palestinian scarves, and some holding “Free Palestine” signs. The rally was not limited to concerns about Trump’s policies on the U.S. economy and domestic issues; international issues also brought people out. Democratic lawmakers, including members of the U.S. House of Representatives, also took to the stage to criticize the president’s policies, further energizing the crowd.
Among the diverse group of protesters was Wayne Hoffman, a 73-year-old retired money manager from West Cape May, New Jersey. Hoffman said he was particularly concerned about Trump’s economic policies, including his widespread use of tariffs, which he feared would hurt workers and farmers. “It’s going to cost farmers in red states. It’s going to cost people their jobs—certainly their 401Ks. People have lost tens of thousands of dollars,” Hoffman said.
Kyle, a 20-year-old intern from Ohio, stood on the fringe of the rally, wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat, as one of the few Trump supporters in attendance. Kyle engaged with protesters, sparking debates and at times receiving harsh words. Despite the tensions, he noted that most people were not hostile, though a few protesters used strong language against him.
The demonstrations were not limited to the U.S. capital. Across the country, protests against Trump’s policies brought thousands to the streets. In Florida, more than 400 protesters gathered in West Palm Beach near Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate. As they chanted against the president’s economic and foreign policies, passing drivers honked their horns in support. One protest sign read, “Markets tank, Trump golfs,” highlighting the contrast between the president’s actions and the economic turmoil he was accused of causing.
In Stamford, Connecticut, 84-year-old Sue-ann Friedman joined the protest, holding a handmade sign objecting to Trump’s budget cuts, particularly the reduction in funding for medical research. “I thought my marching days were over, and then we get somebody like Musk and Trump,” she said, referencing the broader corporate influence on politics that was central to the protests.
Another Stamford protester, 74-year-old retired attorney Paul Kretschmann, voiced his concerns about the potential dismantling of the U.S. Social Security system. “I’m afraid that this is all part of a larger plan to dismantle the government and for Trump to maintain power,” Kretschmann said, his voice heavy with concern over the future of the country’s social safety nets.
At the heart of many protesters’ concerns was the ongoing overhaul of the U.S. government, which Trump had pushed for with the help of Musk. Under the Trump administration, over 200,000 federal jobs were eliminated from the 2.3 million-strong federal workforce. Critics argued that this drastic reduction in personnel had caused serious disruptions in government functions, such as the recall of specialists and a decrease in essential services.
One of the most significant consequences of this overhaul was felt at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), which began laying off more than 20,000 employees. Several hundred protesters gathered outside the Social Security Administration offices near Baltimore, opposing cuts to the agency that provides benefits to the elderly and disabled. Among them was Linda Falcao, a 65-year-old woman who had paid into the Social Security system for nearly 50 years. “I’m terrified, I’m angry, I’m pissed, I’m bewildered this could happen to the United States,” Falcao said, her voice quivering with frustration. “I want my benefits!”
In response, White House assistant press secretary Liz Huston denied accusations that Trump sought to cut Social Security. “President Trump’s position is clear: he will always protect Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid for eligible beneficiaries,” Huston said in a statement.
The protests were not confined to the United States. As anti-Trump sentiment grew, Americans living abroad also voiced their opposition. In European cities such as Berlin, Frankfurt, Paris, and London, crowds gathered to protest Trump’s sweeping changes to U.S. foreign and domestic policies. These international protests underscored the global concern over Trump’s administration and its controversial moves to consolidate presidential power and reshape the U.S. government.
