Trump Supports Tesla, Labels Violence Against Tesla As Domestic Terrorism

After Musk’s Tesla witnessed one of its worst days in the market, President Donald Trump showed support by saying he would buy a Tesla for himself. 

Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to show his solidarity with the billionaire.

Trump buys a Tesla

In a post on Truth Social uploaded on Tuesday morning, President Trump wrote, “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.” 

This post comes after Elon Musk, who has been publicly involved in Trump’s campaign and is currently serving as the Chief of DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency), gave an interview recognising challenges in running Tesla and his other businesses. 

Trump Turns the White House Lawn Into a Tesla Showroom

President Donald Trump turned the South Lawn of the White House into a temporary Tesla showroom on Tuesday in a high-profile show of support for Elon Musk.

Five Tesla vehicles were parked on the White House driveway for Trump to personally inspect just hours after he announced on Truth Social that he would buy one to support Musk and Tesla amid the company’s struggles.

With Musk by his side, Trump praised the cars, particularly the futuristic design of the Tesla Cybertruck

.“As soon as I saw it, I said, ‘That is the coolest design,’” Trump said.

Despite having previously criticized electric vehicles, Trump said he had heard positive things about Tesla from friends. He even sat in the driver’s seat of a red Model S with Musk beside him and said:

The one I like is that one, and I want the same color.

Although he did not take a test drive, Trump said he might do so “another time.”

The event was live-streamed on X (formerly Twitter), owned by Musk, ensuring widespread coverage of Trump's endorsement. White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino handled the live stream.

Because of government ethics rules, it is rare for a sitting president to endorse a commercial product so directly. In 2017, then-Trump advisor Kellyanne Conway received an ethics warning for promoting Ivanka Trump’s clothing brand. However, Trump brushed aside concerns, saying he would pay for the Tesla himself—by check.

Despite the flashy display, some critics saw the event as inappropriate. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) tweeted:

Just because the corruption plays out in public doesn't mean it's not corruption. https://t.co/fYFP5u4pU9

— Chris Murphy 🟧 (@ChrisMurphyCT) March 11, 2025

Trump also appeared to be making a sales pitch, as photos showed him holding notes about Tesla’s $299 per month lease deals and its self-driving features, which require an additional fee and still demand human supervision.

Domestic Terrorism

Trump not only lent support but also claimed that any violence against Tesla dealerships would be deemed as domestic terrorism. He also ensured that the culprits would be prosecuted. Trump says, “Let me tell you, you do it to Tesla, and you do it to any company, we're going to catch you, and ... you're going to go through hell.”

Trump also said in the White House that the "radical left lunatics" are "illegally and collusively" boycotting Tesla and that this is an attack on Musk and what he stands for. 

Tesla Takedown Protests

Elon Musk’s current role in the administration has fueled protests all over the country. The billionaire is currently involved in cutting government funding by downsizing federal employment and cutting humanitarian programs around the world.

This has led to many people around the world to boycott the brand. In the U.S. alone, there have been multiple protests, including in Portland, Oregon, where around 350 demonstrators protested outside a Tesla electric vehicle dealership last week. Also, nine people were arrested during a raucous demonstration outside a New York City Tesla dealership earlier in March.

Musk’s Tesla currently faces boycotts all over the world, and the shares of the company have dropped by a record 15%. However, after Trump’s public support, the brand saw its shares advance 3.8% in Tuesday trading, snapping a three-day losing streak. 

Also Read:

• Elon Musk and Donald Trump Sued By 14 States Over Alleged Unconstitutional Role At DOGE
• Main Takeaways From President Donald Trump’s 2025 Joint Address To Congress
• Elon Musk Launches Appeal To Restore $56 Billion Tesla Payday