NEW DELHI: U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly considering selling or giving away the red Tesla Model S he purchased earlier this year to publicly support Musk. The vehicle, acquired in March 2025 for a White House photo opportunity, was intended to showcase solidarity with Musk amid attacks on Tesla’s infrastructure by radical groups.
However, the alliance between the two figures has soured following Musk’s vocal criticism of Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill,” a major tax and spending proposal. Musk labeled the bill a “disgusting abomination” due to its projected $2.4 trillion addition to the national debt. In response, Trump threatened to cut billions in federal contracts to Musk’s companies, including SpaceX, and accused him of opposing the bill due to its elimination of electric vehicle subsidies.
The feud escalated as Musk claimed Trump’s election victory relied on his $288 million campaign support, while Trump threatened to cut billions in government contracts to Musk’s companies, including SpaceX. Musk’s controversial mention of Trump concerning Jeffrey Epstein files further intensified the spat, prompting calls from U.S. Democrats for the files’ release.
Amidst this fallout, Trump has expressed intentions to dispose of the red Tesla Model S, which had been parked outside the West Wing and used by White House staff. The vehicle, worth approximately $80,000, was never intended for Trump’s personal use, as he is not permitted to drive while in office.
The public dispute between Trump and Musk has had significant financial repercussions. Tesla’s stock experienced a 14.2% drop, erasing $152 billion in market value and reducing Musk’s personal net worth by $33 billion . Despite attempts by White House officials to organize a reconciliation call, Trump dismissed the idea, stating Musk had “lost his mind” and expressing no interest in speaking with him.
As of June 6, 2025, Tesla Inc (TSLA) shares are trading at $303.48, reflecting a 6.6% increase from the previous close. The stock has seen an intraday high of $305.41 and a low of $291.43, with a trading volume of approximately 87 million shares.
The ongoing feud between Trump and Musk continues to draw attention from political analysts and global markets, highlighting the potential for significant disruptions in U.S. policy and economic stability.
