Trump Promotes Tesla in White House Amid Production Pledge
President Showcases Electric Vehicles on South Lawn, Signals Strong Support for Elon Musk
Washington, D.C. — March 12, 2025 -President Donald Trump turned the White House into an impromptu showroom for Tesla on Tuesday, March 11, spotlighting the electric vehicle maker and its CEO, Elon Musk, amid a pledge to double U.S. production within two years. The high-profile event, held on the South Lawn, featured a lineup of Tesla vehicles—including a cherry-red Model S and the angular Cybertruck—as Trump announced his intention to purchase one with personal funds, underscoring his backing of Musk and the company.
The spectacle unfolded just hours after Trump took to Truth Social late Monday night, declaring he would buy a Tesla “as a show of confidence and support” for Musk, whom he described as “a truly great American” doing a “fantastic job.” Standing beside Musk and a row of gleaming vehicles, Trump praised Tesla as “a great product, as good as it gets” and lauded Musk as a patriot who should not be “penalized” for his contributions. The president climbed into the driver’s seat of a Model S, marveling at its design—“Whoa, it’s beautiful!”—though he noted he would leave the car at the White House for staff use, citing security restrictions that prevent him from driving.
Musk, who joined Trump for the event with his young son X Æ A-Xii in tow, seized the moment to announce ambitious plans for Tesla. “As a function of the great policies of President Trump and his administration, and as an act of faith in America, Tesla is going to double vehicle output in the United States within the next two years,” Musk said. He highlighted the company’s Texas factory as the nation’s largest and most advanced automotive facility, emphasizing that Tesla’s products are “American-made” and award-winning. The CEO also teased production of a self-driving “cyber-cab” set to begin in Texas next year, a vehicle he described as lacking a steering wheel or pedals—“It’ll either self-drive or not drive at all.”
The White House event came at a critical juncture for Tesla, which has faced mounting challenges in recent weeks. The company’s stock plummeted more than 15% on Monday—the steepest single-day drop in over four years—erasing gains from a post-election rally and reflecting a nearly 45% decline since Trump’s inauguration in January. Analysts attribute the slide to a combination of slumping sales in Europe, backlash over Musk’s political involvement, and broader market uncertainty tied to Trump’s tariff threats. Tesla has also been targeted by protests and vandalism in the U.S., with more than a dozen incidents reported since January, including torched vehicles and damaged dealerships.
Trump addressed the unrest directly, vowing to crack down on those targeting Tesla. “I will label [violence against Tesla] domestic terrorism,” he told reporters. “We catch anybody doing it—because they’re harming a great American company—they’re going to go through hell.” White House spokesperson Harrison Fields echoed this stance, calling the acts “ongoing and heinous” and “nothing short of domestic terror.”
The president’s public embrace of Tesla marks a notable shift from his past skepticism of electric vehicles, which he once criticized as too expensive and impractical. During last year’s campaign, Trump frequently dismissed EVs, joking they were only good “if you have a towing company.” However, his tone softened after Musk’s strong endorsement of his candidacy, with Trump admitting in August, “I’m for electric cars. I have to be because Elon endorsed me very strongly.”
Musk, now a key figure in Trump’s administration as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has been instrumental in pushing for steep federal spending cuts—a role that has drawn both praise and criticism. Tesla’s stock rebounded modestly on Tuesday, closing up 3.8% after the White House event, though it remains far below its December peak. The company has struggled with declining sales in key markets like Germany and France, where Musk’s support for far-right groups has fueled boycotts, and faces growing competition from rivals like China’s BYD.
The South Lawn display raised eyebrows among ethics watchdogs, given federal rules barring government officials from endorsing private products—though such restrictions do not apply to the president. Critics, including Jordan Libowitz of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, questioned the optics. “At the very least, this looks like the president of the United States is using the presidency to try to directly benefit a billionaire in the government,” Libowitz said. “What’s Elon Musk getting for his investment in Donald Trump?”
For his part, Trump dismissed any suggestion of impropriety, insisting he would pay full price for the Model S—roughly $80,000—by check. “I don’t want a discount,” he said. “If I do a discount, they’re gonna say, ‘Oh, I got benefits.’” Musk, meanwhile, deflected questions about his dual roles, telling reporters he would remain in Washington “as long as it’s useful” while continuing to lead Tesla.
As the White House event concluded, Trump reiterated his admiration for Musk’s vision. “We have to celebrate somebody that has the courage to do this,” he said, gesturing to the vehicles behind him. For Tesla, the presidential spotlight may offer a much-needed boost as it navigates turbulent times—though whether it translates to sustained recovery remains uncertain.
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