When a former president swaps his armored limousine for an electric car, it’s bound to make headlines. Donald Trump surprised everyone by stepping into a Tesla instead of “The Beast,” his iconic security vehicle.

The company's shares climbed 7.6 percent on Wednesday after Trump and Elon Musk hosted a Tesla showcase at the White House.

Trump has repeatedly demonstrated his appetite for overturning norms and pushing ethical bounds, so his latest stunt as a Tesla salesman is not altogether shocking. When Trump learned in 2016 that U.S.

The decision was announced during an interaction with Elon Musk, CEO and co-founder of Tesla, who also leads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). A sitting US President is not allowed to drive a car on public roads due to strict security protocols enforced by the Secret Service.

Trump announced his intention to buy a Tesla on Monday night to support his close adviser billionaire Elon Musk, who is the CEO of the car company. "That's beautiful," Trump said, getting into the front seat of a red Model S on Tuesday.

In front of the White House as he looked over the Tesla vehicles, President Trump said he would not be allowed to drive his new car.