Trump Mulls Selling Tesla Following Musk Criticism
President Donald Trump is reportedly thinking about selling the Tesla he purchased earlier this year, an acquisition that was meant to demonstrate support for Elon Musk. This comes after Musk criticized Trump for his backing of what many have referred to as the “big beautiful bill.”
White House officials have indicated that Trump might sell or give away the red Tesla model he acquired. The vehicle is currently parked outside the White House and is said to be available for staff use.
In March, Trump had hosted an event to promote the wearing of masks, especially as leftist groups expressed discontent with Tesla’s vehicles and dealerships. He remarked, “I think he’s been treated very unfairly by a very small group, and I just want people to know that people are not punished for being a patriot.” Furthermore, Trump mentioned his intent to buy a new Tesla as a sign of his confidence and support for Musk, noting that it seemed to be priced fairly.
Musk, who had previously invested substantially in Trump’s presidential campaign, recently shifted his stance, openly criticizing the “big beautiful bill.” Observers from the GOP speculate that the backlash against mask mandates is partly linked to the removal of subsidies for electric vehicles, which could have negative implications for Tesla.
According to reports, Tesla’s stock took a hit on Thursday, reflecting the tensions surrounding Musk’s comments about the GOP’s domestic policy initiatives, which he described as “nasty hatred.” The stock saw a decline of over 14%, marking its worst loss of the year and a significant 33% drop since Trump took office. This decline was reportedly triggered after Musk voiced objections to the elimination of the $7,500 federal tax credit for electric vehicles—a move that Trump contended Musk had not previously expressed concern about.
There are whispers that Musk hopes to engage with Trump following his public remarks, but current reports suggest Trump has no immediate plans for a conversation.
