Washington, D.C. – In a striking scene outside the White House on Tuesday afternoon, President Donald Trump was spotted sitting in a sleek red Tesla Model S alongside the company’s CEO, Elon Musk. The vehicle, which retails for $94,990, appeared to impress Trump, who exclaimed, “Oh, it’s beautiful. Wow. That’s, that’s beautiful.”
The high-profile sighting came amid speculation over Trump’s growing interest in Tesla. A photographer at the event captured him holding a handwritten note listing Tesla vehicle prices as he stood near a display of the company’s electric cars on South Lawn.
Trump announces plans to buy a Tesla
During his speech at the White House event, Trump confirmed his decision to purchase a Tesla, stating, “Because, number one, it’s a great product, as good as it gets, and number two.”
Later that evening, Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to reaffirm his commitment, making a bold declaration in support of Musk. “In any event, I’m going to buy a brand new Tesla tomorrow morning as a show of confidence and support for Elon Musk, a truly great American,” he wrote.
In a move that further underscored his enthusiasm for the electric car brand, Trump also revealed that he plans to buy a Cybertruck for his 17-year-old granddaughter, Kai. The futuristic all-electric pickup truck starts at nearly $80,000.
Leaked note reveals Tesla pricing details
A photograph taken at the event showed a handwritten note attached to Trump’s prepared speech, which indicated that Tesla vehicles could be purchased for as low as $299 per month or a starting price of $35,000.
While electric vehicle tax incentives under the Inflation Reduction Act are available to eligible buyers, it remains uncertain whether Trump would qualify for them. Under current law, eligibility is capped at an income threshold of $300,000 per year.
As president, Trump’s official salary is set at $400,000 annually. However, in 2016, he claimed he would accept only a $1 salary during his first term. It remains unclear if he intends to continue that practice should he return to office.
Trump blasts Tesla boycott and defends Musk
Trump used his Truth Social post to denounce what he described as a coordinated attack on Musk and his electric car empire. “The Radical Left Lunatics, as they often do, are trying to illegally and collusively boycott Tesla, one of the world’s great automakers, and Elon’s ‘baby,’ in order to attack and do harm to Elon and everything he stands for,” he wrote.
The president’s vocal backing of Musk comes at a precarious time for Tesla. The company’s stock has experienced a sharp decline in recent months, plummeting 55% from its mid-December highs. On Tuesday, Tesla shares closed at $230.58.
A political and financial statement?
Trump’s public endorsement of Tesla raises questions about whether his decision is driven purely by admiration for Musk or whether it is also a political maneuver aimed at aligning himself with one of the most influential figures in tech and business.
As Tesla battles market turbulence and increasing scrutiny from regulators, the unexpected support from Trump could prove to be a double-edged sword—either bolstering confidence in the brand or deepening the political divide around it.
With Trump set on purchasing his own Tesla and gifting a Cybertruck to his granddaughter, all eyes will be on whether this move has any tangible impact on Tesla’s stock and public perception in the days ahead.