President Trump was given a script to help Elon Musk sell Teslas outside the White House
The President and his biggest campaign donor held a Tuesday press event where the pair pitched the public on buying cars from Musk’s company. A notecard held by Trump listed the prices of all the automobiles that had been brought onto the White House driveway. One of the president’s instructions stated “Teslas can be purchased for as low as $299” per month.
Photographs taken of Trump’s notes showed the sales pitch included terms like “affordable” and “spectacular cars.”
The President said Tuesday “they” gave him notes. It wasn’t clear to whom he was referring.
In addition to hyping Musk’s cars in front of the White House, Trump posted a promo on his social media site announcing that he planned to purchase a Tesla to support Musk — the world’s richest man — and accused his political opposition of “illegally and collusively” boycotting the company to “do harm to Elon.”
Musk has become hugely unpopular with liberals since being tapped to run the Trump administration’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency to reduce government spending. Tesla dealerships and charging stations nationwide have been targeted by protestors.
Trump and surrogates like Rep. Marjorie Taylor-Greene have called attacks on Musk’s company acts of “domestic terrorism” they intend to punish.
“We’re going to catch you and you’re going to go through Hell,” the President threatened Tuesday.
Tesla stock has also been impacted as Musk has worked to extend his political reach at home and abroad.
It’s value had been down 46% since Trump’s Jan. 20 inauguration, according to Newsweek. But when trading began Wednesday, Tesla stock prices were reportedly up 7% from the previous day.
The White House said Trump purchased a roughly $80,000 Tesla Tuesday. He said he planned to let staffers use the car. Musk spent nearly $300 million to help the President and his party return to power. According to the New York Times, he plans to give another $100 million to political operations aligned with Trump.