Trump to Buy Tesla Amid Shifting Views on Electric Vehicles
Former President Donald Trump said he would purchase a Tesla vehicle, signaling support for Elon Musk’s electric car company. This announcement follows a period of declining stock for Tesla and increasing protests against the company. The move comes even though Trump has previously voiced skepticism about electric vehicles and self-driving technology.
Why It Matters
Upon his return to office in January, Trump established the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) through an executive order. Musk, who leads DOGE, has taken a central role in the administration’s efforts to reduce government spending and the federal workforce. However, the billionaire’s growing political influence has coincided with a global decline in Tesla sales, leading some to speculate that his political actions may be harming the company’s brand.
Trump’s Skepticism and Previous Criticism
Trump has historically expressed doubts about electric vehicles, often criticizing them in comparison to traditional gasoline-powered cars. “They don’t go far. They cost a fortune,” Trump said during a 2023 rally, according to the Associated Press. At another campaign event, he joked about the technology’s reliability, saying that electric vehicles might not be able to make long drives without numerous stops.
In September 2023, Trump stated that electric cars were “the idea of the Radical Left Fascists, Marxists, & Communists” and warned they would be made in China. Beyond electric cars, Trump has also voiced skepticism regarding self-driving vehicles, a core area of Tesla’s research.
Support for Musk and Tesla
Despite his past criticisms, Trump’s recent comments suggest a change of heart. Discussing his move to designate violence against Tesla a terrorism charge, Trump stated, “I will do that. I’m going to stop them. Because they are harming a great American company. It’s a great product, and we have to celebrate [Musk].”
What model of Tesla Trump intends to purchase has not been confirmed.
