Donald Trump made headlines once again, this time for an unusual reason, he bought a Tesla. But this wasn’t just any car purchase. It was a highly orchestrated PR move aimed at supporting Elon Musk and his struggling electric vehicle company.
The stunt, which took place at the White House, saw Trump sitting in a Tesla Model S, armed with scripted notes detailing the car’s features.
The timing of this purchase was no coincidence. Tesla’s stock had just plummeted 15%, its worst drop in five years.
Many analysts attribute this decline to Musk’s controversial role in Trump’s administration, particularly in his leadership of the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Trump, ever the showman, hoped his public endorsement would bolster confidence in Musk and Tesla. “Elon Musk is putting it on the line for our nation,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “He’s doing a fantastic job!”
Photographs captured Trump holding note cards with key selling points about Tesla. Phrases like “SAFEST car,” “state of the art,” and “affordable” were visible on the document—words Musk clearly wanted him to say.
Trump didn’t deny it. “They gave me notes,” he admitted while flipping through the papers. But despite having a script, his enthusiasm appeared genuine as he climbed into the Tesla. “Wow,” he said, settling into the driver’s seat. “That’s beautiful.”
While Trump’s endorsement may have offered a brief stock boost, Tesla’s troubles aren’t over. The company faces declining sales, production issues, and a growing backlash over Musk’s political ties.
His other ventures aren’t faring much better—X (formerly Twitter) suffered outages this week, and two SpaceX Starship test flights ended in explosions.
Trump’s decision to align so publicly with Musk raises questions. Was this a genuine show of support for a friend, or a calculated political move?
Some critics argue it was an unpaid Tesla advertisement disguised as a White House event.
Others see it as Trump doubling down on his loyalty to Musk, who was a major financial backer of his 2024 campaign.
Trump’s Tesla stunt did generate buzz, but will it translate into real support for the company? Tesla’s stock saw a small rebound, but the long-term impact remains uncertain.
One thing is clear—both Trump and Musk thrive on attention, and this spectacle ensured they stayed in the headlines.
With Trump continuing to push his “America First” economic policies and Musk deeply entangled in his administration, their partnership is likely far from over.
Whether this benefits Tesla or backfires spectacularly remains to be seen.
Clark is a 26-year-old expert working for consumer protection, Clark has dedicated years to identifying and exposing fraudulent schemes. He is working with NGOs to help people who are victims of scams. In his free time, Todd plays football or goes to a bar.
