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In a surprising turn of events, former President Donald Trump is reportedly parting ways with his Tesla, a vehicle he acquired in March as a gesture of support for Elon Musk.
The acquisition followed a Tesla demonstration on the White House South Lawn, arranged after protests against DOGE cuts led to vandalism at Tesla dealerships. Trump’s purchase, valued at $80,000, was intended to bolster Tesla’s sales and stock prices, which were then struggling amidst controversy surrounding Musk’s governmental involvement.
However, according to Fox News reporter Peter Doocy, the red Tesla Model S with Florida plates, often seen parked on West Executive Drive, is now slated for either sale or donation. This decision comes after a significant falling out between Trump and Musk over the president’s budget bill.
During the March event, Trump expressed admiration for the vehicle, remarking on its advanced technology. The event drew criticism, with some alleging it was effectively a “Tesla ad” and a conflict of interest for Musk.
The Trump administration had previously labeled Tesla vandals as “terrorists,” pursuing felony charges against them. Trump publicly voiced his support for Musk, condemning the attacks and suggesting harsh prison sentences for the perpetrators.
Despite these efforts, Tesla sales continued to decline, experiencing a notable 40% drop in Europe. Tensions between Trump and Musk had been simmering for weeks, culminating in a public spat that included accusations of Musk going “CRAZY,” as stated in a Truth Social post by Trump.
The feud intensified after Musk, who contributed nearly $300 million to Trump’s re-election efforts, criticized the president’s budget bill. Musk argued that the bill would exacerbate the national deficit, while White House officials suggested Musk was displeased with the reduction of electric vehicle tax credits, which had previously benefited Tesla.
The conflict escalated with personal insults traded between the two figures, including Trump threatening to cancel Musk’s federal contracts and Musk linking Trump to Jeffrey Epstein.
According to Doocy, the tension had been building for some time, with aides attempting to mediate a resolution. However, a White House official confirmed that Trump had no plans to speak with Musk, stating he was “not even thinking about” him.