Donald Trump made a public show of support for Tesla by purchasing a car from Elon Musk, calling the company Musk’s “baby” and accusing the “Radical Left” of boycotting it to harm the billionaire. During a White House event where several Tesla models were displayed, Trump praised the vehicles and said he was ready to “pay full price” for one.
However, online attention quickly shifted to a piece of paper Trump was holding, which detailed Tesla pricing and included what looked like a sales pitch. The handwritten note listed the costs of different Tesla models, financing options, and a line that read, “All cars have self-driving, just needs to be turned on (fee).” The document’s presence led some to mock Trump, with one Reddit user calling him a “literal car salesman.”
Critics also accused Trump of using an official White House event to promote a billionaire friend’s company. Some questioned whether it was appropriate for the president to publicly endorse a business, while others pointed out that Trump has previously criticized electric vehicles for being impractical and expensive.
Despite the controversy, Trump’s Tesla purchase appears to be part of a broader effort to strengthen ties with Musk, who was recently appointed to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Whether this move boosts Tesla’s struggling stock remains to be seen.
