On April 5, 2025, nearly 2,000 residents from The Villages, a prominent retirement community located 20 miles south of Ocala, Florida, participated in a large-scale demonstration as part of the 'Hands Off!' movement.

The event was part of a series of protests occurring simultaneously across the United States, representing a coalition of hundreds of organizations advocating against policies by President Donald Trump and his adviser, billionaire Elon Musk.

These protests focus on demands for the protection of Social Security, federal employment, and Medicaid amid concerns over potential cuts to these vital social programs.

The 'Hands Off!' coalition aims to vocalize opposition to the perceived threats posed by the Trump administration, particularly in light of recent statements by Trump asserting that Social Security and Medicaid would not face reductions 'unless there's fraud or something.' The timing of the protests coincides with a tumultuous period following Trump's announcement of sweeping global tariffs, which has contributed to instability in both domestic and international markets, with U.S. stocks experiencing their largest declines since 2020.

The Villages is known as a Republican stronghold, which makes the participation of its residents in protests against the GOP president noteworthy.

The community, which encompasses parts of Lake, Sumter, and Marion counties, has a history of supporting Republican candidates, evidenced by voting patterns in the 2024 presidential election: Marion County supported Trump at a rate of 65%, Lake County at 62%, and Sumter County at 68%.

Democratic congressional candidate Barbie Harden Hall, who is contesting for Florida's 11th congressional district, which includes The Villages, shared videos and updates from the protest, estimating attendance at over 1,500 participants, with many residents demonstrating from golf carts adorned with signs.

Nationwide, the 'Hands Off!' movement orchestrated over 1,200 protests in all 50 states as well as in several European cities.

The mobilization included participation from various advocacy groups, civil rights organizations, labor unions, and activists focused on electoral and democratic issues.

Major urban centers such as Boston, New York, Chicago, and Washington, D.C., witnessed significant turnout, with protesters braving inclement weather conditions.

A spokesperson for the 'Hands Off!' initiative highlighted the movement's goal of advocating for a government that prioritizes the needs of its citizens over corporate interests, stating, "Donald Trump and Elon Musk think this country belongs to them.

They're taking everything they can get their hands on and daring the world to stop them."

The protests were organized under principles of nonviolence and lawful assembly, underscoring an emphasis on peaceful advocacy.

During the 2024 presidential campaign, Vice President Kamala Harris also campaigned in The Villages, where supportive residents expressed their enthusiasm through visible displays in the form of golf carts.

In addition to the significant turnout in The Villages, 'Hands Off!' protests also occurred in other pro-Trump locales, such as Rome, Georgia, which supported Trump with 70% of the vote, Midland, Michigan, and Little Rock, Arkansas, where respective voter percentages were similarly high for the former president.

While the protests sought to convey a strong message against proposed policy changes, responses from local officials, including Representative Daniel Webster, were not immediately available.