Trump backs Musk, plans to buy Tesla amid dealership turmoil
Donald Trump, who viewed Tesla brand cars in front of the White House on Tuesday, announced he would buy one. He intends to do so as a show of support for his advisor Elon Musk, whom he called “a patriot.” The President of the United States also spoke about attacks on Tesla dealerships.
Trump viewed five Tesla car models with Musk on Tuesday and then announced he would purchase a red Model S. He also mentioned that last year he bought a Cybertruck model for his granddaughter, Kai.
Trump, who previously criticized electric cars, praised Tesla this time, emphasizing that the car presentation is a gesture of support for his advisor's activities in light of the criticism of Musk and his company's troubles. "I think he’s been treated very unfairly by a very small group of people. And I just want people to know that he can’t be penalised for being a patriot," Donald Trump declared.
"They should be called domestic terrorists"
The President of the United States also addressed acts of vandalism and protests in Tesla showrooms, announcing his intention to classify these actions as acts of domestic terrorism.
"Talk to us about some of the violence that’s been going on around the country at Tesla dealerships. Some say they should be labeled domestic terrorists. I will do that. I’ll do that. I’m going to put a stop to it. Because they’re harming a great American company," Trump said.
During the ceremony, Elon Musk announced that thanks to Trump's actions, his company would double its car production in America over the next two years. He also announced the start of production of a fully autonomous “robo-taxi” in Texas next year, although similar predictions of his in the past often didn’t come true. Trump assessed that despite his great appreciation for Tesla, he doesn’t plan to buy a car without a steering wheel.
Musk stated he would remain the head of the corporation despite working in the White House. When asked if he would leave the White House once he completes his mission as the leader of the DOGE team aimed at reducing unnecessary budget expenditures, he replied that he would he will remain as long as it is productive and as long as he can help the country.
On Tuesday, Tesla shares rebounded from part of Monday’s losses, when their price dropped by over 15 percent. The financially struggling company lost half its value over the past three months, losing what it gained after Donald Trump's election victory in November 2024.
The gesture of support for Musk also occurred against the backdrop of frustration among members of Trump's cabinet due to mass layoffs in their departments, which the billionaire orchestrated as the informal head of DOGE. As a result, the President emphasized that ministers should decide on layoffs and spoke about the need to make cuts “with a scalpel, rather than a hatchet."
