President Trump said the recent incidents of vandalism against Tesla stores are an act of domestic terrorism and will be prosecuted as such.
“They’re harming a great American company,” Trump said during a review of Teslas products at the White House on Tuesday. “Let me tell you, you do it to Tesla, and you do it to any company, we’re going to catch you … you’re going to go through hell.”
Protests targeting Tesla have intensified in recent weeks with some involving damage to vehicles and showrooms, including the use of fire. Tesla’s stock has also plummeted in the face of reports that sales are suffering as part of a backlash against Musk’s involvement with the administration as head of the cost-cutting Department Of Government Efficiency, known as DOGE.
A lineup of the company’s models, including a Cybertruck, was brought to the White House for Musk to show Trump, who promised to purchase one in a show of support.
“This means a lot, and also thank everyone out there who is supporting Tesla,” Musk said. “It’s really terrible that there’s so much violence being created against people at Tesla. Tesla supporters, Tesla owners, Tesla stores, these are innocent people who’ve done nothing wrong.”
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“I just wanted to make a statement,” Trump said. “I’m going to buy one. Now. Here’s the bad news. I’m not allowed to drive … and I love to drive cars, but I’m going to have it at the White House, and I’m going to let my staff use it.
He settled on a Model S Plaid sport sedan and said he wouldn’t be asking Musk for a deal.
“The one I like is that one and I want that same color,” he said. “I’m going to give a check. I don’t want a discount.”
Trump praised Musk’s work for DOGE and called him a patriot who “he has never asked me for a favor.” Instead, Musk did another one for him.
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“As a function of the great policies of president Trump and his administration and as act of faith in America, Tesla is going to double vehicle output in the United States within the next two years,” Musk declared.
“By the way, he makes one car, this one I don’t understand,” Trump said, referring to the upcoming Robotaxi. “This one I don’t want, but that’s OK, without a steering wheel, it comes out next year.”
Musk has promised to launch the Robotaxi in a fully autonomous ride-hailing service in Austin, Tex., by this June before production ramps up and sales begin in 2026.