What did Trump say about EVs in the past? President buys Tesla, poses with Elon Musk despite previous criticism
Courtesy: Reuters
President Donald Trump’s recent endorsement of electric cars raised eyebrows when he purchased a red Tesla Model S, surprising many who remembered his previous criticism of the vehicles. In a March 10, 2025, announcement, Trump shared that he bought the $80,000 car to show support for Tesla and its CEO, Elon Musk.
The two were seen inspecting Teslas outside the White House, with Trump calling it a "great product." However, this purchase comes despite his history of disparaging electric vehicles.
In past rallies, including in December 2023, Trump called electric cars “expensive” and claimed they didn’t go far enough, stating, “You can’t get out of New Hampshire in an electric car.” He criticized former President Joe Biden’s push for electric vehicle adoption, dismissing it as unfeasible and an attempt to mandate unnecessary purchases. Trump’s position on the matter was also evident in his remarks about electric cars at a New Hampshire rally in November 2023, where he mocked the lack of range in electric vehicles.
Donald Trump about #ElectricCars⤵️
"They don’t go far. They cost a lot of money. [...] They got some basic problems. They're very expensive and they don't go far. I think they want to keep you somewhere around your home. They don't want to buildhighways or something. They got… pic.twitter.com/scDNNNaxazDespite his skepticism, Trump recently praised Musk’s work with Tesla, stating that Musk had been “treated very unfairly.” On March 11, 2025, after buying the Tesla, Trump expressed that he wanted people to understand that Musk should not be penalized for being “a patriot.” His decision to purchase the car and publicly endorse Musk is seen as an attempt to further solidify their partnership.
However, this has led to questions about the apparent contradiction between Trump’s past criticism of electric vehicles and his recent actions. The move is also fueling debates on the political implications of such a purchase, considering the financial support Musk offered to Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign.
While Trump’s actions have caused confusion, they also led to an increase in Tesla’s stock price by 4%. Despite the shift in stance, critics have questioned whether this endorsement will be enough to overcome the backlash from his previous anti-electric vehicle statements and policies.