Trump's Red Tesla Model S: The Start of a Rift... or Just Coincidence?
Trump has shown signs of being tired of his red Tesla.
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It seemed like everything was fine between Elon Musk and Donald Trump at the beginning of the year. The U.S. President was promoting Tesla and even bought a red Tesla Model S to boost sales for Musk's company. However, a few months later, it appears that the two powerful men are embroiled in a "Rosenkrieg" (Rose War) of sorts. And the Tesla seems to have become collateral damage.
The rift between Donald Trump and Elon Musk is growing: According to the "Wall Street Journal", Donald Trump is reportedly considering selling or giving away the red Tesla Model S he bought in March. By Thursday evening, the car was still parked outside the West Wing of the White House.
Trump had purchased the red Tesla Model S during a bizarre infomercial-style event at the White House to promote Musk's company. Until then, Trump was not known for being a fan of electric cars, but he declared, "I love Tesla." When he got into the red Model S, Trump exclaimed, "It's all computer, that's cool. Wow."
Just hours before the potential Tesla departure, it was revealed that the relationship between these two influential men may also be on the rocks: Trump reportedly is not particularly interested in speaking with Musk, according to ABC News, who were calling to arrange a telephone interview currently planned for Friday morning (local time). Even sources from the White House claim that Trump does not want to speak with Musk.
When ABC News called Trump about the scheduled call, he reportedly replied, "You mean the man who has lost his mind?" Musk, of course, wants to talk, according to Trump, but he is not willing to do so.
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The fallout between Musk and Trump has reached a boiling point, fueled by a disagreement over a tax bill Trump is pushing. Musk called the plans "heinous nonsense" that must be stopped: The plans would exacerbate the already sky-high budget deficit and national debt, argues the Tesla CEO. It's also possible that Musk is angry because the tax bill proposes the abolition of tax credits for electric vehicles like Tesla.
"Gone Mad"
Trump reacted publicly for the first time on Thursday to these allegations: Musk has "gone mad," wrote the U.S. President. Musk responded by posting numerous harsh attacks on Trump on X, to which Trump reacted just as sharply. Trump even threatened to withdraw government contracts from Musk's companies, while Musk suggested impeachment proceedings against Trump.
Interestingly, just a few days ago, there was no sign of this "Rosenkrieg" between the powerful men: Last Friday, Musk bid a heartfelt farewell from his position as "special government advisor" in Washington, D.C. during a farewell event in the Oval Office of the White House. There, Trump praised Musk highly and even gifted him a symbolic key to the White House.
[1] Source 1[2] Source 2
- Donald Trump
- Elon Musk
- Tesla Motors
"I'm not going to say that the ongoing conflict between Donald Trump and Elon Musk is solely about politics or general-news, but it's undeniably intertwined with their disagreements, such as the tax bill and electric vehicle tax credits, which have escalated into a public feud."
"Despite the intense entertainment value this public spat provides, it's regrettable that it has led to discussions about potential divisions in the relationship, such as Trump's consideration of selling or giving away his Tesla Model S, and the threatening of government contracts by Trump towards Musk's companies."
