In a significant show of solidarity with Elon Musk, former President Donald Trump declared on Truth Social Tuesday morning his intention to purchase a new Tesla vehicle. The announcement comes amid growing tensions surrounding Musk’s DOGE initiative, which has successfully exposed substantial waste and fraud within federal government operations.
The purchase decision arrives as Musk faces intense opposition from left-wing activists, who have responded to DOGE’s effectiveness with various forms of protest, including damaging Tesla showrooms, vandalizing Supercharger stations, and organizing boycotts against the electric vehicle manufacturer.
Trump praised Musk’s efforts on Truth Social, stating, “To
Republicans, Conservatives, and all great Americans, Elon Musk is ‘putting it on the line’ in order to help our Nation, and he is doing a FANTASTIC JOB!”
The impact of DOGE’s investigation into government inefficiencies has been substantial. According to Apollo’s chief economist Torsten Slok, the initiative could result in approximately 300,000 federal government job cuts, with total layoffs potentially exceeding one million when including contractors.
Recently, Trump advised Musk to refine his approach, suggesting a transition from a “hatchet” to “scalpel” methodology in addressing government waste. The recommendation came as Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged DOGE’s role in uncovering significant issues within USAID, leading to the announcement that 83% of the agency’s programs would be discontinued.
Trump expressed concern about the left’s response to Musk’s efforts, writing on Truth Social that “Radical Left Lunatics” were attempting to “illegally and collusively boycott Tesla.” He drew parallels to his own experiences, referencing his victory in the 2024 presidential election despite similar opposition.
The announcement comes at a challenging time for Tesla’s stock performance, which has experienced a 45% decline year-to-date, effectively erasing gains made during the presidential election period. The company’s shares dropped 15% on Monday alone, partially influenced by UBS analyst Joseph Spak’s decision to reduce
first-quarter delivery projections from 437,000 to 367,000 vehicles, along with a lowered price target of $225 from $259.
Similarly, Goldman Sachs analysts, including Mark Delaney and Will Bryant, adjusted their first-quarter delivery forecast downward to 375,000 from 399,000 vehicles.
While Trump did not specify which Tesla model he plans to acquire, speculation suggests he may opt for the Cybertruck. His support appears aimed at countering the recent negative pressure on Tesla’s business operations and stock performance, while simultaneously endorsing Musk’s efforts to reform government spending through the DOGE initiative.
Through this purchase, Trump is demonstrating practical support for Musk’s dual roles as both a business leader and government reform advocate. The former president emphasized this point by questioning, “Why should he be punished for putting his tremendous skills to work in order to help MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN???”
The situation highlights the increasing intersection between business interests and political reform efforts, as well as the polarized response such initiatives can generate in today’s political climate. As DOGE continues its mission to identify and eliminate government waste, the ripple effects are being felt across both public and private sectors, with Tesla’s market performance serving as a visible indicator of these broader political and economic tensions.