Donald Trump previously told electric vehicle (EV) supporters to “rot in hell” before buying a Tesla in his latest display of loyalty to Elon Musk. During the 2023 Christmas period, the Republican took to his social media platform Truth Social to accuse so-called “electric car lunacy” of “looking to destroy our once great USA”, adding, “MAY THEY ROT IN HELL”. Mere weeks prior during a rally in Iowa, Mr Trump said EVs “don’t go far” and “cost a fortune”.
He also suggested that the US military was looking to make “army tanks all electric”, to which he responded, “You’re in the middle of the desert and you say, ‘You know what, we’re running low on electric. Do they have a charger around anywhere?'” However, on Tuesday, the US president posed for photos outside the White House in front of a line of Tesla cars and the company’s CEO, Mr Musk.
He declared Tesla “a great product” and “as good as it gets”, adding that he would buy one of each model after buying one of his grandchildren a Cybertruck.
The president said he purchased a red Model S with personalised license plates that read “TRUTH” after promising Mr Musk he would buy one.
He told reporters he gave Mr Musk a cheque for the vehicle. He said: “I’ll give him a check. I do it the old fashioned way … And I don’t want a discount … I’m president, so I want to pay full price.”
The president then declared “I love Tesla” and expressed hope that his endorsement would send stock prices up. He will not be allowed to drive the vehicle, it will instead be kept for White House staff to use.
Mr Trump appeared to change his tune on EVs after Mr Musk endorsed his return to the White House. He said at an August rally in Atlanta: “I’m for electric cars. I have to be because Elon endorsed me very strongly.”
He added during his inauguration speech: “We will revoke the electric vehicle mandate, saving our auto industry. [Americans will] be able to buy the car of your choice.”