Trump’s new red Tesla Model S recalled as it’s revealed who will be taking it for a spin
WASHINGTON, DC: Donald Trump just got himself a shiny new Tesla, but it’s already on the recall list.
The president parked his sleek red Model S right outside the West Wing entrance, making sure everyone saw his latest ride.
And he’s not even the one driving it. That honor goes to Margo Martin, his longtime aide who’s been glued to his side from the first administration to Mar-a-Lago and now back to the White House.
"I love it. We're going to have fun," Martin gushed when Trump told her she would be taking the Tesla for a spin.
But before she can zoom around DC, there’s just one small issue—the car might need a little fixing first.
A Tesla with a few issues?
According to Wired, the Tesla Model S has already racked up 37 safety recalls from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The list of problems is long - airbag issues, power-steering assist malfunctions, faulty door handles, and warped brake discs.
Some cars had trouble stopping. Others were speeding. Not exactly the kind of thing you want to risk in a presidential ride.
Of course, a recall doesn’t necessarily mean the car is broken—it just means it needs to be checked. And with all the high-tech features crammed into modern vehicles, recalls have become more common, according to the Daily Mail.
White House turns into Tesla showroom
The South Lawn turned into a full-blown Tesla showroom on Tuesday, March 11, with five different models parked in the driveway—including the famous Cybertruck.
Trump’s Model S starts at a cool $76,880, but he wasn’t looking for a discount. In fact, he made a point of saying he’d be paying the old-fashioned way. "I don't want a discount," he declared, adding that he would be paying via personal check.
Musk, who was there in person, with his young son X in tow, gave Trump the nod of approval. "His credit's good," Musk quipped.
The whole Tesla spectacle wasn’t just about cars. It was about Trump backing Musk.
The billionaire is currently running Trump's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an initiative aimed at shrinking the federal government—cutting red tape and budgets, which has angered plenty of people. Musk has been heavily criticized for his involvement, with protesters targeting Tesla showrooms and calling for boycotts.
It’s not just protests—Tesla’s stock has tanked, sales are down, and investors are panicking. Musk reportedly lost a staggering $29 billion in a single day because of Tesla’s struggles.
But Trump is standing by his close aide. "This man is a great patriot, and you should cherish it," he said, defending Musk against the backlash.
Donald Trump throws jabs at Joe Biden as he shrugs off Tesla's stock troubles
Donald Trump couldn’t resist taking a swipe at his predecessor, Joe Biden, during the Tesla event.
"You think Biden could get into that car? I don't think so," he joked.
For about 30 minutes, Trump strolled around, checking out the vehicles and holding court with the press.
"I think he's been treated very unfairly by a very small group of people. And I just want people to know that he can't be penalized for being a patriot," he said of Musk.
As for Tesla’s stock troubles, Trump shrugged it off.
"Markets are going to go up, and they're going to go down, but you know what, we have to rebuild our country," he insisted.
Donald Trump’s ride-or-die support for Elon Musk
Donald Trump has been Elon Musk’s biggest cheerleader, especially since the billionaire helped fund his 2024 presidential campaign. On Monday night, Trump made it clear where he stands.
"To Republicans, Conservatives, and all great Americans, Elon Musk is 'putting it on the line' in order to help our Nation, and he is doing a FANTASTIC JOB!" he posted on Truth Social.
But the backlash against Musk isn’t slowing down.
Across the country, anti-Musk demonstrations have turned violent, with protesters attacking Tesla showrooms with guns and Molotov cocktails. The company’s stock has nosedived, dropping 45% since its peak of $1.5 trillion in December. The gains Tesla made after Musk bankrolled Trump’s campaign have been nearly wiped out.
Trump lashed out at "Radical Left Lunatics" for "trying to illegally and collusively boycott Tesla, one of the World's great automakers, and Elon's 'baby,' in order to attack and do harm to Elon, and everything he stands for".
Still, despite all the chaos, Trump made sure to thank Musk for sticking his neck out—saying he was "being punished" despite "putting his tremendous skills to work in order to help MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN".
