Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has empowered Musk to slash federal government spending and headcounts as leader of the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

But DOGE’s high-profile cost-cutting campaign has faced increasing backlash, including protests, court rulings and some pressure from lawmakers. The turmoil has also tarnished the Tesla brand, with sales plummeting in Europe, share prices tumbling and multiple reports of cars being vandalised.

‘Before Elon went crazy’

“I’m going to buy a brand new Tesla tomorrow morning as a show of confidence and support for Elon Musk, a truly great American.

Donald Trump posed beside a line of Tesla vehicles at the White House after posting on social media he would buy one as a “show of confidence and support” for billionaire ally Elon Musk. Source: AAP / Samuel Corum

“Why should he be punished for putting his tremendous skills to work in order to help MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN???”

While Musk enjoys Trump’s confidence, polling shows the tech billionaire is deeply unpopular among ordinary Americans, and his cuts to government budgets have sparked angry confrontations between Republicans and their constituents at town halls.

Tesla has lost more than one-third of its market value since mid-December as Musk deepens his association with Trump.