Trump Turns White House into Tesla Showroom: Snags a Red Model S to Boost Musk’s Empire
Presidential Endorsement: Donald Trump showcased a fleet of Tesla vehicles on the White House lawn, culminating in his purchase of a red Tesla Model S to support Elon Musk amid Tesla’s tumbling stock and public backlash.
Musk’s White House Moment: Elon Musk, Trump’s close ally and head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), joined the president to promote Tesla, spotlighting their deepening partnership as the company faces protests and boycotts.
On March 11, 2025, the South Lawn of the White House transformed into an unprecedented stage for capitalism meets politics, as President Donald Trump rolled out a fleet of Tesla vehicles in a bold show of support for Elon Musk, his billionaire confidant and Tesla CEO. The event, which saw Trump personally select and purchase a red Tesla Model S, marked a surreal moment in American governance—one where the line between public office and private enterprise blurred under the spotlight of flashing cameras and a handwritten price sheet clutched by the president.
The spectacle came at a critical juncture for Tesla. The electric vehicle giant has been battered by a nearly 50% drop in stock value over the past three months, a slump attributed to a mix of market jitters over Trump’s tariff policies, declining international sales, and a growing backlash against Musk’s high-profile role in the administration. As head of the newly minted Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Musk has spearheaded aggressive cuts to federal spending—slashing an estimated $105 billion since Trump took office—while drawing ire for firing thousands of federal workers and axing programs like USAID and DEI initiatives. This has fueled protests at Tesla dealerships, vandalism of charging stations, and a boycott movement that’s seen owners slap “I bought this before Elon went crazy” stickers on their cars.
Against this backdrop, Trump’s decision to turn the White House into a makeshift Tesla showroom was both a lifeline and a flex. Flanked by Musk and his son X Æ A-Xii, the president inspected a lineup that included a silver Model X, a grey Cybertruck, a blue Model S, and a red Model Y, before settling on the red Model S—a sleek sedan starting at around $79,900, though Trump’s handwritten notes pegged it at $108,990 with options. “It’s beautiful,” Trump declared, sliding into the driver’s seat of the stationary vehicle (he’s barred from driving as president for security reasons). “I’m going to buy it because it’s a great product—as good as it gets—and because this man has devoted his energy and his life to doing this.”
The purchase, which Trump insisted he’d pay “full market price” for via check, was framed as a patriotic stand against what he called “Radical Left Lunatics” illegally boycotting Tesla. “Elon’s been treated very unfairly by a small group of people,” Trump said, echoing a Truth Social post from the night before. “He can’t be penalized for being a patriot.” He went further, vowing to label violence against Tesla property as “domestic terrorism,” a threat that could see protesters face severe federal repercussions.
For Musk, the event was a win amid a storm. Tesla’s stock ticked up 7% after the endorsement, and Musk seized the moment to announce on X that Tesla would double its U.S. production within two years “in support of the policies of President Trump and to demonstrate our confidence in the future of the United States.” Yet, the optics weren’t universally rosy. Critics, including CNN’s Anderson Cooper, slammed the event as a “live advertisement” for Trump’s biggest campaign donor, accusing him of turning the White House into a showroom for personal gain. Auto industry experts warned that Trump’s backing might deepen Tesla’s brand toxicity among liberal buyers—who once adored the EV maker—without winning over conservatives skeptical of electric vehicles.
The red Model S, destined for White House staff use since Trump can’t drive it, now stands as a symbol of this odd-couple alliance. Whether it’s a savvy boost for Tesla or a misstep that further polarizes Musk’s empire, one thing’s clear: on March 11, 2025, the White House driveway became the stage for a bromance with horsepower—and the nation watched, divided as ever.