President Donald Trump, previously critical of electric vehicles, has become a vocal supporter of Tesla, particularly after a recent event featuring Elon Musk.
On Tuesday, Trump hosted Musk, who is described as a “special government employee,” at the White House. During the event, Trump showcased Teslas, even purchasing one himself. This marks a significant shift from his prior skepticism of electric vehicles.
Social media users quickly noted the change of heart, pointing out Trump’s past criticism of electric vehicles. One clip circulating on X, formerly Twitter, showed Trump stating in a 2023 Fox News town hall interview: “They have so many electric vehicles, nobody wants to buy them… They’re expensive, although you probably get them for cheap now. Nobody wants to buy them!”
Trump was specifically critiquing the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which incentivized automakers to produce more electric vehicles. In 2023, he also described electric cars as “Electric Car Lunacy” on his Truth Social platform.
At the White House event, Trump demonstrated his support for Musk’s company by posing with a Tesla and displaying a handwritten note that listed various Tesla models and their prices.
The event sparked mixed reactions. Some social media users criticized Trump for appearing to promote luxury cars for the world’s richest man. Tennessee election commissioner Chris D. Jackson wrote on X on March 11, 2025: “Democrats should investigate. No doubt Musk wrote this, which is all a clear ethical violation.”
Tesla’s stock has faced challenges, declining approximately 40% since December. Some reports indicate vandalism and damage to Tesla cars and charging stations, potentially related to protests against Musk.
Trump not only suggested that Musk was being “treated very unfairly” but also floated the idea of classifying those who damage Tesla property or assault its employees as domestic terrorists. Musk subsequently endorsed this idea on X.
Trump’s behavior and the photo opportunity generated criticism on X. One user, Alex Cole (@acnewsitics), wrote on March 11, 2025: “Elon Musk got Trump doing unpaid Tesla ads on taxpayer-funded time. The grift-to-governance ratio is off the charts.”
Critics have suggested that Trump’s altered perspective stems from Musk’s financial support. Several opinions appeared online referencing the situation.
Many observers viewed the event as an unconventional commercial, with one user stating, “This was 100% a Tesla commercial at the WH— which is unheard of.” The event has underscored existing concerns about potential conflicts of interest and the blurring of lines between politics and business.
