President Donald Trump had a photo opportunity with Elon Musk to promote Tesla at the White House on Tuesday.
At one point, a hot mic caught Musk telling Trump: "It’s a like a golf cart that goes really fast."
"This is really amazing!" a seemingly shocked Trump replied.
The moment was similar to President George H. W. Bush's trip to a grocery store, during which he tried his hand at the long-used scanner and barcodes invented in the early 1970s.
The spectacle came as Tesla stock continued to plummet Tuesday after the largest single-day drop in the company's history, the company's co-owner, James Stephenson, pointed out on X. He cited a 15.4% decline on Monday.
On Tuesday, Trump said he would help save the company by purchasing a Tesla, even though the Secret Service enforces a strict policy that strongly discourages presidents from driving due to security concerns. Trump has never been a big driver, often being chauffeured in limousines. Fox5 reported in 2016 that he once boasted of owning Rolls Royces and a Lamborghini.
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The internet found the event nothing more than another "grift."
One Canadian remarked that the photo-op had a "Goya Beans feel," a reference to Ivanka Trump posting a can of beans after the CEO came out in support of Trump in 2020.
"Donald Trump is literally running a Tesla ad in front of the White House to help Elon’s failing stock. This entire administration is a scam," remarked political commentator Keith Edwards.
Podcast host Brian Tyler pointed out earlier on Tuesday, "Donald Trump just lashed out at Americans for not buying Teslas, saying they are 'illegally' boycotting the company."
"Trump set to buy car from sketchy salesman," quipped the research and media monitoring group PatriotTakes.
The progressive news site "More Perfect Union" quipped, "Trump just spoke to the media about buying a Tesla and said he hopes it boosts Tesla sales. In response Musk claimed Tesla will double US production. This is unlikely given declining demand for his cars. This is just two corrupt oligarchs scratching each other's backs.
Columnist Heather Digby Parton posted on BlueSky, "I guess the president of the United States is advertising Tesla at the White House today to help his top adviser Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, boost his stock price? What??? Again, you could be on 1960s acid and not see anything like this. BTW: Remember, Trump has slagged EVs for YEARS."
Meanwhile, Getty photographer Andrew Harnik caught a photo of Trump's list of notes that revealed the elevator pitch for the Tesla "complete with pricing," noted journalist Aaron Rupar.