President Donald Trump’s ridiculous automotive salesman schtick on the White Home Tuesday made a mockery of the Government Workplace. It was pathetic seeing Trump and Elon Musk—the 2 strongest individuals on the planet—crying about how persecuted they suppose they’re.
It was additionally horrible enterprise for Musk.
His drawback is that the core marketplace for electrical autos—rich environmentally aware liberals—has turned exhausting in opposition to Tesla since Musk has come out as a loud and proud Nazi.
Additional tying Tesla to electrical vehicle-hating Trump solely drives away much more potential consumers whereas doing little to win over Trump’s base of poorer People who’re hostile towards the atmosphere and EVs.
And it was horrible politics for Trump.
Trump gained due to inflation. All different tradition conflict nonsense performed a job, certain, however in the long run, Trump upended the same old marketing campaign dynamics by profitable voters making lower than $50,000, whereas former Vice President Kamala Harris gained voters making greater than $100,000.
Trump and Musk sit collectively inside a Tesla automobile.
The Democratic Social gathering is now the occasion of the educated elite, whereas the Republican Social gathering has change into the occasion of the decrease socioeconomic strata.
Regardless that Trump gained white voters handily by 57-42, Harris gained college-educated white voters by 53-45, in accordance with 2024 exit polls. Trump additionally gained non-college white voters by 66-32. General, Harris gained college-educated voters by 56-42 and misplaced non-college voters by 56-43.
In different phrases, Trump voters don’t purchase Teslas. So how is that this horrible politics for Trump?
Tens of hundreds of thousands of People voted for Trump as a result of they believed his repeated guarantees that “Starting on Day 1, we will end inflation and make America affordable again.”
As a substitute, Trump spent Day 1 renaming the Gulf of Mexico and Mount Denali in Alaska, beginning nonsensical commerce wars with Canada and Mexico, aligning himself with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, firing tens of 1000’s of presidency staff, slashing in style authorities packages—a lot of which instantly profit his personal base—and in any other case doing every part however decrease costs.
And whereas he’s definitely stuffed with excuses, none of them are, “Sorry, I got distracted. Let me get back to working on lowering prices.”
The truth is, Trump is full steam forward on his commerce wars and deportation plans, which can solely enhance costs … by rather a lot. So now the inventory market is tanking and Social Safety is in danger.
In the meantime, Trump is internet hosting Tesla infomercials on the White Home to advertise Musk’s Tesla autos—a number of of which price greater than $100,000.
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DOOCY: You are shopping for a brand new automotive. There are some people who will see this clip at residence and they’re battling their retirement accounts down in the meanwhile.
TRUMP: Nicely I feel they’re gonna go nice. Our nation had to do that.
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) 2025-03-11T19:49:48.136Z
Trump mentioned he would purchase an $80,000 crimson Tesla Mannequin S for White Home workers, since he doesn’t drive. However how will they cost the automotive? Trump is actually eradicating charging stations from all authorities buildings—simply one other instance of how Trump’s hatred for EVs is in direct battle along with his have to please Musk.
On the finish of the day, Trump doesn’t give a rattling about his supporters, a lot much less the broader American individuals. In fact, nobody must be stunned, contemplating he mentioned on the marketing campaign path, “I don’t care about you. I just want your vote.”
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