Tesla Gains Presidential Endorsement Amidst Slumping Sales
In a surprising twist, President Trump made headlines this Tuesday as he chose to drive a Tesla instead of his customary presidential limousine. The South Lawn of the White House was lined not with the usual motorcade of black SUVs but with five Tesla vehicles, reflecting the president’s newfound interest in the electric car brand.
The decision to purchase a Tesla was announced by Trump on Monday night. His move is seen as an endorsement of Elon Musk, the Tesla CEO and a close adviser to the president. “That’s beautiful,” Trump remarked as he sat in the driver’s seat of a red Model S.
Such public support from a sitting president for a private company is unusual and potentially raises ethical questions. The White House has yet to address whether this action adheres to ethics guidelines.
The intertwining of Musk’s roles as a government official and a private sector leader has sparked debate. Musk, who spearheads the administration’s efficiency initiatives, also oversees companies like Tesla, SpaceX, and X (formerly Twitter). His businesses benefit from substantial federal contracts, even as government spending is curtailed.
According to Richard Painter, former chief White House ethics lawyer, Trump’s display could breach federal regulations against using public office for private gain, though these do not apply to the president. Painter commented, “It looks like a way of saying this economy will be driven by favoritism.” He warned against the perception of the government favoring certain companies, stating, “Tesla is the winner.”
Despite revoking incentives for electric vehicles from the previous administration, Trump expressed his intention to pay for the Tesla with a personal check and keep it for White House staff use. This comes at a time when Tesla faces declining sales across major markets, including the U.S., Europe, China, and Australia. The company has also encountered protests and vandalism targeting its products and infrastructure.
Trump defended Musk, claiming, “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 penalized for being a patriot.” He lauded Musk’s contributions to Tesla and described him as a “great patriot.”
When questioned about whether his purchase might boost Tesla’s sales, Trump replied, “I hope it does.”
NPR’s Bobby Allyn contributed to this report.
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