Donald Trump's new $90,000 Tesla has 37 safety recall notices against it
We don't imagine many of you had the front lawn of the White House being turned into a Tesla showroom with its own sales pitch on your 2025 bingo card.
Then again, we don't imagine Elon Musk taking to the stage with a gilded chainsaw or RFK promoting Vitamin A to combat measles were on their either.
President Donald Trump has warned that those who mess with Tesla will be dealt with as domestic terrorists, although others have warned that aligning the POTUS with the electric vehicle brand could be bad for all involved.
With Tesla stocks taking a worrying hit and Elon Musk losing $29 billion from his net worth in a single day, the President swooped in and even got behind the wheel of a shiny red Tesla Model S. The Commander-in-Chief had already vowed to buy a Tesla, and seemingly staying true to his word, he said he'd hand over the expected $90,000 to have one.
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However, Wired points out that the President's new motor has faced some 37 recalls due to safety complaints.
The site reiterates that while the Model S boasts some beefy 1,020 horsepower and can race from zero to 60 in 1.99 seconds, it's also got a questionable log book.
Trump's specific car is the 'Plaid' version Model S, which has improved acceleration and gets its namesake from a nerdy pop culture reference.
The Plaid editions are named after a moment in Mel Brooks' Spaceballs where ships hit 'Ludicrous Speed' and a plaid-patterned effect appears.
Unfortunately for the Tesla Model S vehicles, there have been 37 U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recalls.
The most recent was in January 2025, with a mention that the "computer circuit board may short, resulting in the loss of the rearview camera image," and this could lead to an increase in crashes. Trump himself became a memeworthy soundbite when he sat in the Model S and said, "Everything's computer."
Previous reports include problems with everything from the airbags to power-steering assist, door handles, brake discs, and even the Model S' much-hyped self-driving feature.
In 2023, Tesla issued a voluntary recall for all models using the Full Self-Driving feature. Issues included not properly stopping at a stop sign, speeding, and making unexpected lane changes.
It should be noted that an increase in the futuristic tech found in modern vehicles means recalls for major brands like BMW and Chrysler have also been on the up in recent years.
One thing not on the up is Tesla sales.
Despite Trump's Tesla showcase leading to a nearly 4% surge in stocks, the numbers speak for themselves, as Tesla sales are 76.3% down compared to February 2024. Although there's been an anomalous 20% rise in the UK compared to the same month last year, the continued Tesla boycott and animosity toward Mr. Musk look like they're starting to take a toll on the bottom line.