Elon Musk sells a Tesla car to Donald Trump in a surprising event at the White House

On Tuesday afternoon, President Donald Trump made an unexpected appearance outside the White House, but not in the usual presidential limousine known as "The Beast." Instead of the traditional motorcade filled with large black SUVs, five Tesla vehicles lined up for Trump to examine.

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Trump’s public support for Tesla and Elon Musk

Trump had announced his intention to buy a Tesla the night before, expressing his support for his close advisor and billionaire Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla. The announcement came as a surprise, as it’s not common for sitting presidents to make public endorsements of private companies.

Upon stepping into the front seat of a red Model S, Trump remarked, "That's beautiful," signaling his approval of the vehicle.

Is President Trump’s purchase of a Tesla ethical?

This public endorsement of a private business raises some ethical questions. While it's unusual for a sitting president to make such a personal purchase with clear backing of a private company, the White House has yet to clarify if any ethics rules were followed during this process.

However, White House Spokesperson Harrison Fields issued a statement on Wednesday, saying, "President Trump made the personal decision to buy a Tesla, at a market rate."

Additionally, Special Assistant to the President and Communications Advisor Margo Martin, posted this about the sale:

Elon Musk’s influence on the Trump Administration

This event also highlights the increasing overlap between Elon Musk’s roles in both the public and private sectors. Musk is known not only for leading Tesla, but also for heading SpaceX and X (formerly Twitter). Musk’s companies are major recipients of federal contracts, even as the Trump administration pushes for reduced government spending.

Richard Painter, former chief White House ethics lawyer under President George W. Bush, raised concerns that this public display might be a violation of federal rules. While these rules do not apply to the president, Painter noted, “It looks like government picking winners and losers, and the government saying, ‘Tesla is the winner.’”

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Trump's statement on Tesla

Trump has also been vocal about his stance on electric vehicles, notably revoking Biden-era efforts to incentivize the purchase of EVs. He mentioned that he would pay for the Tesla with a check and that the car would be kept at the White House for staff use.

While Tesla sales have been struggling recently, both in the U.S. and internationally, Trump expressed his support for Musk, calling him a "great patriot" who has done an “incredible job” with his company. He added, “I think he's been treated very unfairly by a very small group of people.”

When asked if his purchase would help boost Tesla’s declining sales, Trump responded, “I hope it does.” His statement suggests a belief in the potential benefits of his high-profile support for Tesla, especially as the company faces challenges both at home and abroad.