Trump, who once criticized electric vehicles, toured five Tesla models outside the White House with Musk and praised the company’s work.
“He’s been treated very unfairly by a small group, and I want people to know you can’t punish him for being a patriot,” the president said, calling Musk a “great patriot.”
Attacks on Tesla facilities
Trump said that vandalizing or protesting at Tesla’s sales locations would be classified as domestic terrorism.
“We’ll catch anyone doing that because it harms a great American company,” he declared.
Musk, who heads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under Trump, said the administration’s backing would help Tesla double its American production over the next two years.
He also announced an ambitious plan to start producing a fully autonomous “Cybercab” in Texas next year, though previous self-imposed deadlines often slipped.
Musk indicated he would remain CEO of Tesla despite his work advising Trump. Asked whether he would leave the administration once his cost-cutting mission at DOGE ends, he responded, “I’ll stay as long as it’s productive and as long as I can help the country.”
Tesla’s financial struggles
Tuesday’s presidential endorsement comes as Tesla’s shares recover slightly after losing about 15% on Monday. The stock closed up 3.8% Tuesday, though the company’s valuation has halved over the past three months amid weakening financial results, erasing gains from Trump’s November 2024 election victory.
Meanwhile, some members of Trump’s cabinet have expressed frustration over Musk’s involvement in budget cuts that triggered layoffs in their departments.
The president responded by emphasizing that cabinet ministers, not Musk, should ultimately decide on staffing reductions.
“We need to use a scalpel, not an ax,” Trump said.
(jh)
Source: Polskie Radio 24, Reuters