The Big Story 

Conservatives are rallying around Tesla while liberals ditch or distance themselves from Elon Musk’s electric vehicles (EVs) in a surprising about-face for a company whose fate is deeply tied to the politics of sustainability and climate issues. 

© AP Photo/George Walker IV

Republicans, who have long eschewed EVs and the movement away from fossil fuels, have come to Tesla’s defense as it suffers financially and faces attacks tied to Musk’s work with the Trump administration. 

Meanwhile, U.S. liberals and European buyers are taking out their frustrations over Musk and President Trump’s policies by getting rid of their Teslas and boycotting the company.

In a few extreme cases, Tesla vehicles have been vandalized, and dealerships have been attacked. 

“It’s a little bit of a twilight zone for Tesla,” said Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives. 

Generally, more Democrats than Republicans buy EVs. A 2023 Gallup survey found that 6 percent of Democrats, 4 percent of independents and 1 percent of Republicans owned electric cars. 

And just 1 percent of Republicans said they would seriously consider buying an EV in the future, compared to 12 percent of independents and 22 percent of Democrats. 

While on the campaign trail, EVs became something of a culture war issue for Trump and Republicans, as the president decried Biden’s pro-EV policies as an attack on consumer choice.

His tone softened somewhat as he and Musk grew closer, but even as he has publicly embraced Tesla, Trump has still broadly opposed his predecessor’s policies.  

Amid Tesla’s woes, Trump publicly purchased a Tesla earlier this month, praising the cars from the perch of the White House. 

His supporters have also made public displays of affection toward Musk’s electric cars.  

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick encouraged Americans to buy Tesla stock on March 19, touting Musk as “probably the best entrepreneur, the best technologist, the best leader of any set of companies in America working for America.”   

“I think, if you want to learn something on this show tonight: Buy Tesla,” Lutnick said. “It’s unbelievable that this guy’s stock is this cheap. It’ll never be this cheap again.”   

Fox News host and Trump ally Sean Hannity revealed earlier this month that he had purchased a Tesla while promoting a sweepstakes to win one of Musk’s cars on his website. 

“It’s like the greatest car ever invented. It really is, and I’m not just saying that,” Hannity said during an interview with Musk last week. 

Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.) also posed with a Tesla in a picture posted on social media, writing, “Pretty snazzy car,” and tagging Musk. 

Despite the GOP show of support, Tesla’s brand has suffered in recent weeks from its close association with Musk.

The tech billionaire has taken on a prominent and controversial role in the administration leading the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) efforts to slash government spending and the federal workforce. 

Read more in a full report at TheHill.com.

Welcome to The Hill’s Technology newsletter, we’re Miranda Nazzaro and Julia Shapero — tracking the latest moves from Capitol Hill to Silicon Valley.

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Essential Reads 

How policy will be impacting the tech sector now and in the future:

Canada bars Tesla from rebate program over Trump tariffs

White House taps Musk to investigate Signal chat mishap

Waltz: ‘We made a mistake. We’re moving forward’

Trump family crypto firm launches stablecoin

The Refresh 

News we’ve flagged from the intersection of tech and other topics:

Crypto Corner 

Trump family businesses expand crypto footprint

© AP Photo/Evan Vucci

Welcome to Crypto Corner, a daily feature focused on digital currency and its outlook in Washington.

Companies with ties to President Trump and his family are expanding their footprint in the crypto industry.

World Liberty Financial, a crypto venture launched by Trump and his sons, announced plans for a dollar-backed stablecoin Tuesday.

“Meet USD1 — the stablecoin your portfolio’s been waiting for,” the company wrote on X. “Built for institutions and retail alike. Backed by dollars. Custodied by BitGo. No games. No gimmicks. Just real stability.” 

And Trump Media and Technology Group, Truth Social’s parent company, unveiled a new partnership with Crypto.com on Monday to launch a series of exchange traded funds (ETFs).

The ETFs are set to compromise digitals assets and securities “with a Made in America focus spanning diverse industries such as energy,” according to a press release. 

The new crypto-related ventures come as Trump has emerged as a key proponent of the industry during his second term in office, hosting crypto leaders at the White House and directing the creation of a bictoin strategic reserve and digital asset stockpile.

In Other News 

Branch out with other reads on The Hill:

Signal defends app security amid group chat controversy

The president of Signal defended the security of the encrypted messaging app on Tuesday after a bombshell report revealed top Trump administration officials used the app to discuss airstrike plans hours before they took place. In a lengthy post on the social platform X on Tuesday night, Signal President Meredith Whittaker called the app the “gold standard in private comms” without directly mentioning the ongoing …

What Others are Reading 

Two key stories on The Hill right now:

Appeals court won’t lift Boasberg’s order blocking Alien Enemies Act

A federal appeals court in a 2-1 decision Wednesday refused to lift U.S. District Judge James Boasberg’s order blocking the Trump administration from … Read more

Hegseth moves to center of Signal chat firestorm

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has moved to the center of the storm over a Signal group chat scandal, seeking to beat back questions about whether … Read more