Biden and Trump’s EV Parades: A Tale of Two White House Driveways

It appears that electric car diplomacy is becoming a White House tradition. This week, President Donald Trump made waves by showing off a red Tesla Model S on the South Lawn, flanked by Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk, who’s also helming the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The event wasn’t just a flashy photo op — Tesla’s stock rebounded after a rough start to the week, thanks to the buzz.

Of course, the Democratic response was swift and cutting, with the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee labeling Trump’s administration “the most corrupt administration in American history.” Harsh words, but let’s rewind a bit: former President Joe Biden had his own electric vehicle moment back in August 2021. Biden got behind the wheel of an electric Jeep Wrangler on the very same South Lawn during a meeting with executives from General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis. That event aligned with his signing of an executive order pushing for zero-emission vehicles to make up half of U.S. production by 2030.

Notably absent from Biden’s event? Tesla. Musk, never one to let a snub slide, expressed his discontent on X (formerly Twitter), calling it “odd” that the leading U.S. electric vehicle maker wasn’t invited. When pressed about the exclusion, then-White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki diplomatically suggested that Tesla would be included in future discussions, adding, “We welcome the efforts of automakers supporting an electric vehicle future, and Tesla is certainly one of those companies.” Still, it didn’t take a detective to see the tension between Musk and the Biden administration.

Reports later suggested that Musk’s absence was tied to his non-union stance, which didn’t sit well with the United Auto Workers (UAW) — a key constituency for Biden. Psaki subtly hinted at this when she explained the event featured “the three largest employers of the United Auto Workers.” The fallout may have been a turning point for Musk, as the billionaire eventually distanced himself from the Democratic Party. According to The Wall Street Journal, Musk, who voted for Biden in 2020, tried reaching out to the White House after the inauguration, only to be met with silence.

Fast-forward to Trump’s Tesla event, and the criticism keeps rolling in. Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin sarcastically remarked on X, “I’m sure all the people losing their retirement, jobs, and health care because of Trump are glad to see the White House turned into a car dealership for the richest man on the planet.” Ouch. It seems electric vehicles are generating more political sparks than environmental ones these days.

Whatever your take, it’s clear that EVs are more than just a futuristic way to get around — they’re a high-voltage flashpoint in America’s political theater.