Elon Musk’s Tesla Showcase at the White House
Yesterday, basking in the radiant March sunshine, the iconic neoclassical symbol of what we once termed the free world transformed into an extravagant open-air car showroom. On the vast expanse of the South White House lawn, flanked by its majestic Palladian columns, gleamed a striking crimson Tesla alongside a sleek charcoal gray model.
The man of the hour, none other than Elon Musk, donned his signature black fatigues and a matching baseball cap, rather than the usual suit one might expect in such a prestigious setting. Next to him stood his enthusiastic customer, who could very well be described as another salesman in his own right, sporting a navy two-piece suit complemented by a bright red tie that harmonized perfectly with the Tesla parked beside him.
“Wow!” exclaimed the exuberant Donald Trump, his eyes sparkling with excitement. “Everything’s computer… It’s beautiful… Wow, it’s very simple!” This was purportedly the first encounter Trump had with a Tesla. He climbed into the vehicle, clearly intrigued.
“It’s literally like driving a golf cart,” Musk remarked, comfortably seated in the passenger seat. The comparison of a golf cart to a high-speed vehicle on a highway left an unspoken question lingering in the air.
Then, with a script firmly in hand, Trump read aloud, “They have one which is $35,000, which is pretty low.” A keen cameraman later captured a close-up of that script, revealing intricate details of Tesla models and financing options that could reduce the price to a remarkably affordable $299 a month. This was the performance Trump put on for the assembled press pool, who were already aware of his public intent to purchase a Tesla.
The scene was set: The man often referred to as “The Dogebag,” who has taken it upon himself to “cut inefficiency” in government—currently in the process of laying off hundreds of thousands of employees from the American Department of Education—was now promoting electric vehicles from the White House lawn.
We may have always suspected Trump had an affinity for the shopping channel, but this felt like a full-blown presidency by QVC.
Tesla’s recent performance has raised eyebrows, particularly among those who own the vehicles or have invested in the company. From a peak in mid-December, when Musk seemed to embody the role of a de facto Vice President, his fortunes have taken a nosedive. Various missteps, from crashing space debris to mismanaging government departments, have resulted in the dismissal of nuclear weapons experts whose contributions were deemed too complex to understand.
In recent weeks, Tesla’s stock price has halved, becoming closely associated with poor governance. This association has manifested in widespread dissatisfaction, as Americans face job losses, the threat of reduced benefits for veterans, and uncertainty regarding healthcare coverage for the elderly.
Protests against Tesla and Musk have erupted outside dealerships across the U.S., with reports of vandalized showrooms and charging stations. While this criminal behavior is concerning, it underscores the intensity of public sentiment toward Musk, who has become an omnipresent figure without ever being elected.
This is where Trump steps into the fray. His promotion of Tesla on the White House lawn isn’t motivated by concern for Musk’s personal finances; after all, Musk’s wealth far surpasses Trump’s. Instead, Trump recognizes the symbolic significance of Tesla’s success. If Tesla falters, he perceives a potential decline in his own standing.
To fully grasp Trump’s approach, one might look back a century to sociologist Max Weber and his concept of “patrimonialism.” This notion encapsulates Trump’s governing style, which is less about established institutions and more about personal loyalty and informal connections. Jonathan Rauch, writing in The Atlantic, describes it as a leadership style that can permeate all forms of governance, replacing formal lines of authority with personalized ones, rewarding allies and punishing adversaries—real or imagined. It’s a style reminiscent of street gangs and organized crime.
When viewed through the lens of patrimonialism, many of Trump’s actions become clearer. He likely understands how corrupt this spectacle appears to the average American—using the power of his office to promote a friend’s business. Yet, if one believes that the state is an extension of the household, and vice versa, then why not utilize the picturesque garden on a sunny day for personal gain?
America’s challenges extend far beyond the spectacle of Teslas on the lawn.
Emily Maitlis is a journalist, broadcaster, and host of the podcast The News Agents.
