The president announced plans to buy his new Model S Tesla to show support for Musk amid what the POTUS has described as a ‘boycott’
Donald Trump became the new owner of a shiny red Tesla after he and Elon Musk turned the White House lawn into a showroom earlier this week, but the model he opted for has had its fair share of issues over the years.
In a bold move, the POTUS took to Truth Social on March 11 to announce his plans to purchase a brand-new Tesla, calling it a “show of confidence and support” for Elon Musk’s electric vehicle company. His announcement comes amid what he claims is a widespread “boycott” against Tesla, which has seen its stock price take a hit in recent weeks.
During a special showcase at the White House, Trump inspected a lineup of Teslas before selecting a striking red Model S as his preferred ride, praising it as a “beautiful” machine. However, in a candid admission, he acknowledged that he wouldn’t actually be able to drive it himself.
As social media buzzed over the president’s endorsement, some sharp-eyed observers noticed an interesting detail—Trump had a pricing guide in hand while reviewing the Teslas, but one crucial detail was missing: their recall history.
Since its debut in 2012, the Model S has been hit with a staggering 37 safety recalls from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The latest, issued in January, flagged a defect that could cause a computer circuit board to short out, leading to the loss of the rearview camera image and increasing the risk of a crash.
While Trump’s Tesla purchase may be making headlines, it also raises questions—did he really pay full price for his $90,000 luxury EV, and is this truly a win for Musk’s struggling stock?
This particular recall impacted a wide range of Tesla models, including select 2024-2025 Model 3 and Model S vehicles, as well as 2023-2025 Model X and Model Y models. In total, a staggering 239,382 cars were affected.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) clarified the issue, stating: “These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, ‘Rear Visibility’.” The flaw, which could cause the rearview camera to fail due to a power short, posed a potential safety risk.
Fortunately, Tesla was able to address the problem with an over-the-air software update, modifying the vehicle’s power-up sequence to prevent the short-circuiting failure.
This isn’t the first time Tesla has faced recalls. Previous issues have ranged from faulty airbags, power-steering assist, and brake discs to problems with door handles and even the car’s self-driving feature. While Tesla’s ability to fix many of these problems remotely is a major advantage, the frequency of recalls continues to raise questions about long-term reliability.
It’s important to note that Tesla isn’t alone when it comes to frequent recalls—many major automakers have faced similar challenges in recent years. However, in Trump’s case, any future Tesla issues are unlikely to affect him personally—because he won’t be driving it anyway.
His driving restriction isn’t due to personal choice but rather a longstanding US Secret Service rule that prohibits presidents from driving on public roads for security reasons. Instead, Trump—like his predecessors—must be chauffeured by a Secret Service agent, meaning his flashy new Tesla will likely serve more as a statement piece than a daily driver.
