Trump and Musk Champion Tesla at White House Following Vandalism
President highlights American EV innovation and condemns property attacks. Democrats call the showcase corrupt.
President Donald Trump turned the White House south lawn into a Tesla showroom Tuesday in response to vandalism against the American electric car maker.
The showcase featured a fleet of the company’s electric cars. Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk attended as Trump climbed into a cherry-red Model S and marveled at its technology, exclaiming “Everything’s computer!” (Business Insider)
Trump praised Musk’s company and announced plans to personally purchase a new Tesla as a “show of confidence and support” (Fox News).
The stock’s company (TSLA) is down 33% in the last month.
Vandalism Spurs Domestic Terrorism Talk
Trump’s Tesla promotion comes on the heels of vandalism against Tesla showrooms, factories and vehicles across the country. In response, Trump vowed a crackdown. He even suggested labeling these anti-Tesla attacks as acts of “domestic terrorism.”
Contrast with Biden’s Approach
Trump’s successor, Joe Biden, also promoted electric vehicles. Biden has championed EVs but left Tesla out of his White House EV events. In one instance, he test-drove a plug-in hybrid Jeep Wrangler 4xe on the South Lawn to showcase EV innovation – notably without including Tesla, the nation’s top EV producer.
Democrats called Tuesday’s showcase, “Corruption in broad daylight.”
What do you think? Comment your thoughts below.
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart satirized the event in a video you can see below.
