On May 7, 2025, a protest took place in the UK. Led By Donkeys, a British campaign group, organized the event. They brought in a World War II-era Sherman tank and had 98-year-old veteran Ken Turner drive it over a Tesla Model 3. The car had a license plate that read “FASCISM.” It was donated by a Tesla owner who disagreed with Elon Musk’s political views.
The group planned the event to send a message against Elon Musk. They accuse him of backing far-right political movements in Europe. The timing wasn’t random, it was close to the 80th anniversary of VE Day, which marks the end of World War II in Europe. That gave extra weight to the protest’s message.
Turner, who once served in the Royal Tank Regiment, said in the group’s video:
“I’m old enough to have seen fascism the first time around; now it’s coming back. Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, is using his immense power to support the far-right in Europe, and his money comes from Tesla cars. Well, I’ve got this message for Mr. Musk: We’ve crushed fascism before, and we’ll crush it again.”
Led By Donkeys has been active in protests against public figures they see as pushing harmful political ideas.
The car’s glass roof and windows were destroyed. But the main structure and suspension were not badly damaged. Some people saw this as proof of the car’s strong build. That wasn’t the point of the protest, though.
TANK vs TESLA
— Led By Donkeys (@ByDonkeys) May 7, 2025
"We've crushed fascism before and we'll crush it again"
– WW2 veteran Ken, 98, in the tank pic.twitter.com/O6NBNWr4sc
The Sherman tank weighs between 66,800 and 84,000 pounds. It crushed the car’s glass but didn’t destroy the rest of the structure. Some online viewers noted how the frame and suspension stayed in place. People on forums like Democratic Underground pointed this out, saying the car’s safety features held up better than expected.
They also talked about how the battery was taken out of the car before the tank rolled over it. That was done for safety and environmental reasons.
The Group’s Other Actions Against Musk
This wasn’t the first time Led By Donkeys used Tesla as a protest symbol. They’ve:
- Projected videos onto Tesla’s Berlin factory showing Musk’s alleged ties to far-right politics.
- Used a Tesla to draw “Don’t buy a Tesla” into a beach in Wales, targeting the brand itself.
This tank protest was the most dramatic of their efforts so far.
Political Background
The group links Musk to far-right parties in Europe. One of those is Germany’s AfD, which has been accused of using fascist language. By using a WWII tank, they drew a direct line from the past to the present.
The protest was about politics, not car performance. But the way the car held up brought attention to Tesla’s safety design. That part wasn’t planned. Some people saw it as a positive point for Tesla, even though the protest was against Musk.
The video spread quickly on social media, adding fuel to the larger debate about Musk’s role in politics. His critics see him as a growing force behind far-right movements. However, supporters say he’s using his influence as he sees fit.
Either way, the tank event made a strong statement. It mixed old and new symbols to protest modern politics. And while the safety angle added an unexpected twist, the group stayed focused on their core message, “fighting back against what they see as rising fascism”.
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