WASHINGTON (AP) — On Tuesday, President Donald Trump shopped for a new Tesla on the White House driveway. He chose a glossy red sedan to demonstrate his allegiance to Elon Musk’s electric vehicle company, which is currently facing criticism due to Musk’s efforts to advance the president’s political agenda and reduce the federal government.
“Wow,” Trump exclaimed as he slid into the driver’s seat of a Model S. “That is gorgeous.”
Musk entered the vehicle from the passenger side and quipped about “giving the Secret Service a heart attack” as they discussed the process of starting a vehicle that can reach 60 miles (95 kilometres) per hour in a matter of seconds.
Trump informed reporters that he would issue a cheque for the vehicle, which is priced at approximately $80,000, and store it at the White House for his staff to operate. The president expressed his optimism that his acquisition will provide Tesla with a much-needed lift, as the company is currently grappling with declining stock prices and stagnant sales.
“It is an exceptional product,” he declared. Trump stated that “we must celebrate him” in reference to Musk.
Musk, who invested significantly in Trump’s comeback campaign last year and has been a significant figure in his second administration, was the most recent and unusual illustration of Trump’s loyalty to him. Tesla’s stock price surged by nearly 4% on Tuesday, following a nearly 48% decline since Trump assumed office in January.
The Republican president announced on social media overnight that he would purchase a new Tesla as “a demonstration of confidence and support for Elon Musk, a truly great American.”
Musk continues to operate Tesla, as well as the rocket manufacturer SpaceX and the social media platform X, while also serving as Trump’s adviser.
“Elon Musk is performing an exceptional job by ‘putting it on the line’ to assist our nation.” Trump composed the text. “However, the Radical Left Lunatics, as they frequently do, are attempting to illegally and collusively boycott Tesla, one of the world’s greatest automakers and Elon’s “baby,” in order to attack and harm Elon and everything he stands for.”
At a business roundtable event on Tuesday evening, Trump stated that Musk, the world’s wealthiest individual, “should not be intimidated or subjected to hardships solely because he wishes to assist the government.”
Musk has also been defended by others. According to Alex Jones, a well-known conspiracy theorist, he acquired a customised Cybertruck that he intends to distribute to a client of his online store next month.
Musk has encountered additional obstacles in addition to Tesla’s difficulties. X was the target of a “massive cyberattack” that disrupted the social media platform on Monday, and the last two test launches of his Starship rocket resulted in pyrotechnics, according to him.
For security purposes, presidents seldom operate vehicles. While advocating for domestic manufacturing, Joe Biden operated an electric truck, and Barack Obama engaged in a comedy performance with Jerry Seinfeld in the White House driveway.
However, Trump’s overnight announcement regarding the acquisition of a Tesla was yet another example of the president’s efforts to equivocate between private and public interests, irrespective of their practicality.
“With considerable difficulty,” he stated.
“However, you assert that there is no alternative?” Kudlow responded.
Musk stated, “I am merely present to enhance the efficiency of government, as well as to eliminate waste and fraud.”
Recently, Tesla has encountered vandalism and protests. Fire officials are conducting an investigation into a fire that destroyed four Cybertrucks at a Tesla lot in Seattle, while police are investigating gunshots discharged at a dealership in Oregon.
Musk has acknowledged that he will make errors along the way, and the White House has occasionally been required to clean up after him. Musk has never worked in public service before.
For instance, on Monday, Musk provided Democrats with exaggerated estimates of fraud in government benefits such as Social Security, which prompted them to contend that he was contemplating reductions to the popular programs.
“The majority of federal spending is entitlements,” Musk stated during the interview. “That is the significant issue that must be resolved.”
The following morning, a White House account on X criticised news organisations as “lying hacks” and advised Democrats to “spare us the fake outrage” about reducing benefits.
The White House stated that “He was unmistakably discussing the WASTE in the programs.”
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