Trump Buys Red Tesla in Show of Support for Elon Musk Amid Market Turmoil

TDT | Manama
Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

In a highly publicized move, U.S. President Donald Trump purchased a red Tesla Model X on Tuesday, with Tesla CEO Elon Musk by his side. The purchase, made on the White House driveway, was seen as a gesture of support for Musk’s electric vehicle company, which has faced backlash due to Musk’s involvement in advancing Trump’s political agenda.

“Wow, that’s beautiful,” Trump remarked as he settled into the driver’s seat of the sleek vehicle. Musk, sitting in the passenger seat, joked about “giving the Secret Service a heart attack” as they discussed the car’s impressive acceleration, which allows it to reach 95 kilometers per hour in mere seconds. However, Trump did not test-drive the vehicle, citing restrictions that prevent him from driving while in office. Instead, he mentioned plans to leave the car at the White House for staff use.

“Musk would give me a discount, but if I do a discount, they’re gonna say, ‘Oh, I got benefits,’” Trump quipped.

The president further elaborated on his decision to buy the Tesla, saying, “When I saw what was happening, I said that I want to buy a Tesla, and we just went to the front. He (Elon Musk) had four beautiful cars there, and I bought one in front of the press. It was a very public purchase, and they’re beautiful and do a great job.”

Calling Musk a “patriot,” Trump praised the billionaire entrepreneur’s work, though he admitted uncertainty about Musk’s political stance. “He’s done a great job… It’s not that he’s a Republican… Sometimes, I’m not even sure what he is in terms of his philosophy, but he’s a great guy,” he said.

Tesla shares have been experiencing a sharp decline in recent weeks, largely attributed to Musk’s role in the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The controversy has sparked protests outside Tesla stores across the United States, with demonstrators holding banners that read, “Elon must go away” and “Honk if Elon Musk should be fired.” Some protests have reportedly turned violent.

The company’s stock has dropped over 30% in the past month, with a 15% decline on Monday alone. However, shares rebounded slightly by nearly 5% on Tuesday, clawing back a fraction of the losses sustained since the extended sell-off began in January.

With Tesla at the center of political and economic debates, Musk’s alignment with Trump continues to draw scrutiny, leaving investors and consumers closely watching the automaker’s next moves.