In a surreal White House event, Trump promoted Tesla alongside Elon Musk, vowing to crack down on dealership protests and purchase a Cybertruck for his granddaughter
In an extraordinary fusion of politics and corporate spectacle, President Donald Trump transformed the White House South Lawn into an impromptu Tesla showroom on Tuesday. Flanked by Tesla CEO Elon Musk and a lineup of the company’s latest electric models, Trump delivered remarks defending Musk against rising protests and vowed to treat attacks on Tesla dealerships as domestic terrorism.
The event unfolded against a backdrop of financial trouble for Tesla, which has seen its stock plummet nearly 45% this year amid declining European sales and Musk’s increasing entanglement in Trump’s administration. However, the highly publicised display appeared to restore some investor confidence, as Tesla shares rebounded 3.8% after Trump dismissed boycotts against the automaker as “illegal” and announced his own plans to purchase a Tesla.
Musk, who also serves as head of Trump’s newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has faced mounting scrutiny over his political role. Analysts warn that his deep involvement in government affairs could further erode Tesla’s brand reputation. A recent Wedbush Securities report cautioned that if Musk remains fully committed to DOGE, Tesla risks alienating consumers and investors alike.
Still, some market watchers see the dip in Tesla’s stock as a buying opportunity, citing the company’s long-term innovation potential. Trump, eager to demonstrate his loyalty to Musk, held a handwritten Tesla pricing list and insisted he would pay full price for his purchase to avoid accusations of political favouritism.
“I don’t want a discount,” Trump declared. “Musk would give me one, but they’d say, ‘Oh, I got benefits.’”
As protests against Tesla and Musk continue across the country, Trump’s show of support underscores how closely aligned the two figures have become. Whether this alliance will stabilise Tesla’s turbulent stock or deepen the controversy remains to be seen.
