Trump’s Unusual Tesla Endorsement: A Publicity Stunt or a Political Move?
In a curious publicity stunt, former President Donald Trump took to the White House lawn to showcase five new Tesla vehicles, the electric car company owned by his close associate and political benefactor, Elon Musk. During this unusual event, Trump praised the cars as “beautiful” and remarked on their technological advancements, stating that “everything’s computer.” He criticized Democrats for what he termed an “illegal” boycott of the company and boldly pledged to purchase “a brand-new Tesla tomorrow morning” as a demonstration of confidence and support for Musk, whom he described as a “truly great American.”
In recent weeks, Tesla’s stock price has faced significant declines, exacerbated by Wall Street’s biggest drop of the year on Monday, linked to uncertainties surrounding Trump’s tariff policies and his ambiguous stance on a potential recession. However, following Trump’s endorsement, Tesla’s shares experienced a slight rebound, closing higher on Tuesday after a substantial drop the day before.
Trump is no stranger to product endorsements during his time in office. In 2020, he faced backlash after sharing a photograph of himself surrounded by Goya food products in the Oval Office, an act that drew widespread criticism. His daughter Ivanka, who served as a presidential adviser at the time, also posed with a Goya tin, which sparked further controversy. The chief executive of Goya had publicly endorsed Trump and claimed he was the rightful winner of the 2020 election, despite clear evidence that Joe Biden won the election fairly.
Concerns Over Ethical Violations in Trump’s Endorsements
Walter Shaub, a former director of the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, indicated that Ivanka Trump’s Goya endorsement was a “clear violation” of regulations regarding the misuse of public office. A White House spokesperson defended the action at that time, stating Ivanka was expressing her “personal support” for Goya. Experts have raised alarms that Trump’s endorsement of both Goya and Tesla could breach ethics rules that restrict federal employees from leveraging their public positions for personal gain or product endorsements.
Professor Natasha Lindstaedt, a democracy expert at the University of Essex, commented on the abnormality of such behavior from a sitting president. She stated, “There’s nothing about this that is normal, because presidents and other elected officials must adhere to strict ethical norms. Trump has consistently flouted these norms, promoting various products, including watches, on the campaign trail. His promotion of Tesla could violate the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, specifically section 2635.702, which prohibits federal employees from using their office for private gain.”
Moreover, Lindstaedt highlighted that Trump’s claim that boycotting Tesla is illegal is unfounded. “He shouldn’t be making statements that could influence Tesla’s stock prices,” she noted. Despite the potential for ethical repercussions, Lindstaedt believes Trump has been emboldened by the lack of consequences for his previous endorsements, including Goya. She also pointed to a landmark Supreme Court ruling, which determined that presidents cannot be held accountable for crimes committed while conducting “official” business.
When approached for comment, White House principal deputy press secretary Harrison Fields stated, “President Trump made the personal decision to buy a Tesla at market rate.”
Is Trump’s Tesla Endorsement a Double-Edged Sword?
John Canavan, lead analyst at economic advisory firm Oxford Economics, suggested that the uptick in Tesla’s stock price may be more reflective of broader market stability than Trump’s publicity stunt. He characterized the relationship between Tesla and Trump as a “double-edged sword.” Canavan explained, “While it provides Musk direct access to the President and could help ensure continued government incentives for Tesla, it may alienate a significant number of investors and potential car buyers. It’s truly a mixed bag.” He noted that the latest price movements were likely more influenced by the overall market trends rather than Trump’s endorsement.
Canavan acknowledged the unusual nature of Trump’s actions but suggested it may signal a “new normal” in political endorsements. “It’s evident that Trump will select specific winners, and this is what we observe with Elon Musk. Although this isn’t typical, it aligns with Trump’s broader policies and actions,” he said.
The Limitations of Trump’s Support for Tesla
Tesla has faced vandalism and boycotts attributed to Musk’s ties with Trump, resulting in a staggering 45% drop in its share price since the beginning of 2025. Sian Rees, a Professor of Public Relations and Marketing at Swansea University, indicated that while Trump is trying to mitigate any potential backlash from his association with Musk, it might be too late to reverse the damage.
She warned that Trump’s support might only resonate with his followers, potentially magnifying negative reactions from non-supporters, which could adversely affect Tesla’s sales. “While this may boost sales among Trump supporters in the U.S., it is unlikely to address the decline in sales overseas,” Rees noted.
Furthermore, she emphasized that it is “unusual for a leader in a Western democracy to overtly support one commercial entity over others.” However, she acknowledged that Trump is “not a typical democratic leader” and is unafraid to leverage public relations strategies for his benefit.
Lindstaedt cautioned that as some of Tesla’s traditional clientele begin to distance themselves from the brand, Trump supporters might not be inclined to fill that gap. “Elon Musk was once a favorite in the environmental movement, which drove Tesla’s sales. Since he has taken a more controversial stance, many are turning away from the brand. Moreover, a significant portion of Trump’s base may not support electric vehicles, making it unlikely they will gravitate toward Tesla,” she stated, concluding that Musk’s popularity does not match Trump’s within the MAGA community.
