Democratic strategist Julie Roginsky on Tuesday criticised US President Donald Trump for “buying and promoting” red Tesla car from DOGE head Elon Musk, accusing him of “basically acting like a showroom salesman”, and further arguing that vehicles are “out of reach for average Trump voter.”
Speaking on MSNBC, she said: “The President is basically a car salesman now. It’s just, it’s just astounding with everything that’s going on. I mean, literally, with everything that’s going on in the world, he’s taking time out of his day to array four or five TESLAs on the White House lawn and basically act like a showroom salesman for.”
“By the way, I don’t know who he thinks is buying Teslas, but I can guarantee you that they’re out of reach, many of them, for the average Trump voter. So I’m not sure who in the MAGA universe he’s urging to buy Tesla’s because Tesla’s consistently in previous iterations were bought by wealthier, environmental, environmentally conscious people,” she added.

Roginsky argued that while Trump’s efforts to convince MAGA supporters to purchase Teslas would likely fail, but it highlighted how market pressure and protests against Tesla were significantly impacting Elon Musk.
“And so, you know, if he’s trying to now get MAGA to go buy Teslas, I think that’s not going to be very successful. But it does underscore that the protest against Tesla and the fact that the market is driving Tesla down is really having an effect on Elon Musk in a truly tangible way. Otherwise, the President would not be coming out and taking time out of his day to effectively sell Tesla,” she further continued.
These remarks followed President Trump’s attempt to boost Tesla’s falling stock prices on Tuesday by turning the White House into a showroom and announcing plans to purchase one of the electric cars made by his close advisor, Elon Musk, while also warning anti-Musk protesters with “hell.”
This extraordinary product endorsement by a sitting president occurred as Tesla shares declined sharply, influenced by concerns over Trump’s tariffs and negative reactions to Musk’s controversial role in reducing US government operations. Despite facing challenges, Musk announced plans to double Tesla’s production in the US over the next two years.

During his visit, Trump viewed five Tesla models, including a Cybertruck, and marveled at their design, remarking on how “everything is computer.” He stated that while he cannot drive on public roads as president, the car would be for his White House staff.
Among the models showcased was the Tesla Model S, which boasts a 0-60 mph time of 1.99 seconds, a range of 350 miles, and a price tag of $94,990.
Trump insisted on paying the full price without any discount, opting to write a check the “old-fashioned way.” He even got behind the wheel, as Musk personally guided him through the car’s interior features.
“I said, ‘you know, Elon, I don’t like what’s happening to you, and Tesla’s a great company,'” Trump told reporters while standing alongside Musk and his son X who pranced beside him in front of a red Tesla on the White House south portico.

“He has never asked me for a thing, and he’s built this great company, and he shouldn’t be penalized because he’s a patriot,” Trump added.
Upon his return to the White House, Trump appointed Musk to lead government spending reductions as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
However, DOGE’s cost-reduction initiatives faced mounting opposition, including protests, legal challenges and political pressure. These issues have damaged Tesla’s reputation, leading to decreased European sales, falling share prices and reported vehicle vandalism.
Some frustrated Tesla owners have added bumper stickers to their cars, stating they bought them “before Elon went crazy.”
Meanwhile, Trump issued a warning against protesters. When asked by a reporter if they should be “labeled domestic terrorists,” he responded, “I’ll do it.”
“You do it to Tesla and you do it to any company, we’re going to catch you and you’re going to go through hell,” he added.
Trump later posted on his Truth Social platform: “Wow!!! People are loving Elon, a GREAT PATRIOT. Nice to see!!! DJT”