WASHINGTON – A fleet of Tesla vehicles transformed the White House South Lawn into an impromptu showroom last week as former President Donald Trump showcased his latest endorsement: a crimson Tesla Model S. “I want the same color,” Trump declared, admiring the car before climbing inside. The spectacle, however, was less about a presidential purchase than a calculated effort to shield Tesla and its CEO, Elon Musk, from intensifying criticism over Musk’s controversial role in Trump’s government overhaul.
Musk, who chairs the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has spearheaded the dismantling of federal agencies, resulting in tens of thousands of federal job cuts—some later reinstated by courts. This aggressive downsizing, paired with Musk’s polarizing public persona, has fueled nationwide protests. Tesla dealerships have faced arson, vandalism, and vehicles branded with red X’s, while some owners sport bumper stickers reading, “I Bought This Before We Knew Elon Was Crazy!”
Ethical Lines Blurred
Trump’s overt support for Tesla—including Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s public urging of Americans to buy Tesla stock—has ignited legal and ethical concerns. Critics argue the administration is improperly propping up a company led by a key political ally. Musk’s dual roles as a government official and CEO of firms like Tesla and SpaceX, which hold billions in federal contracts, further muddy the waters.
“This is unprecedented,” said Richard Painter, former White House ethics counsel under George W. Bush. “You cannot use your official position to promote a private company. That’s a clear ethics violation.” Painter emphasized that while past administrations have advocated for industries, such as Biden’s 2021 push for electric vehicles (EVs), none have singled out a specific corporation as Trump has with Tesla.
A Political Lightning Rod
The administration’s defense of Musk escalated this week. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced charges against three individuals accused of firebombing Tesla properties, vowing to prosecute “domestic terrorism” targeting the company. Meanwhile, White House spokesman Kush Desai lambasted Democrats like Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the 2024 vice presidential nominee, for reveling in Tesla’s stock slump, which has dropped over 40% this year.
Trump’s allies counter that President Joe Biden also leveraged the White House to promote EVs, hosting Ford, GM, and Stellantis executives in 2021. Yet Biden’s event focused on industry-wide goals, excluding Tesla—a snub Musk reportedly resented before switching his party affiliation to Republican.
Investor Jitters and Brand Crisis
Despite Trump’s endorsement, analysts say the political theatrics may backfire. “Tesla’s transformation into a political symbol is toxic for investors,” said Wedbush Securities analyst Daniel Ives. While Tesla shares briefly rose 5% after Lutnick’s remarks, they closed lower for the ninth consecutive week. Ives warns that Trump’s staged support fails to address Tesla’s core challenges, including Musk’s divisive reputation and competition in the EV market.
“There’s only one person who can fix it,” Ives stressed in an interview. “It’s not Trump. It’s not Lutnick. It’s Musk.” He argued that Musk must refocus on Tesla, stepping back from his role at DOGE to repair the company’s tarnished image. “He’s not a politician—he’s CEO of Tesla, as well as a lot of other ventures. And he needs to make sure that the brand damage doesn’t become permanent.”
As debates over ethics and favoritism swirl, the saga underscores the risks of intertwining corporate and political interests. For Tesla, the road to recovery may require more than a presidential photo
