U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly contemplating parting ways with his red Tesla Model S Plaid, a car he purchased earlier this year in a show of support for Elon Musk. According to a senior White House official who spoke to Barron’s, Trump is considering either selling or giving away the high-performance electric sedan. As of Friday morning, the car was still parked at the White House.
Trump’s decision to purchase the Tesla back in March came after a public event with Musk, where he stood alongside the Tesla CEO and his son X, praising the vehicle as a “great product.” Trump also voiced his support for Musk, stating that he believed the entrepreneur had been unfairly treated by a small group of people.
However, recent events suggest a cooling of the once-warm relationship between Trump and Musk, especially following a public spat that occurred yesterday. This dispute led to a significant drop in Tesla’s stock price, which plummeted nearly 15%. Despite this, shares of Tesla have rebounded today, rising by 5.79%.
The potential removal of the Tesla from Trump’s possession could further signify a rift between the two billionaires. It remains to be seen whether Trump will ultimately part ways with the car, but the situation highlights the volatility of relationships in the business and political world. Only time will tell how this latest development will impact both Trump and Musk moving forward.