- Donald Trump says he wants to buy a Tesla to support Elon Musk.
- Tesla has faced challenges with stock decline, showroom protests, and investor concerns.
- Trump may want the Tesla with the most headroom, or the most controversial model.
Donald Trump wants his hands on a brand-new Tesla, but which model is best for the leader of the free world?
That depends on whether he wants more headroom, more bang for less buck, or the most controversial model out there.
Amid a growing backlash against Tesla, the President wrote in a Tuesday Truth Social post that he would be buying a Tesla as a show of support for his right-hand man, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk.
The electric vehicle company has been struggling ever since Musk became the de-facto leader of DOGE — its stock has plummeted, protests have erupted at showrooms around the country, owners have been offloading their vehicles, and investors are worried.
With the Cybercab not quite ready for prime time and the long-awaited Roadster stuck in R&D purgatory, Trump will have to pick from Tesla's current lineup of five vehicles: Models S, 3, X, and Y, along with the Cybertruck. That's two sedans, two SUVs, and a pickup.
Here's what Tesla models Trump should consider buying, depending on what he's looking for (and if he'll be allowed to drive it on his own):
Tesla Model 3 and Model Y: The average Joe's Tesla
If Trump wants to save the most money, then the Model 3 or Model Y are the vehicles for him.
The sedan and SUV are the brand's smallest and most affordable models with a starting of around $42,000 for the 3 and $46,000 for the Y.
Launched in 2018 and 2020, respectively, the Model 3 and Model Y are Tesla's EVs for the masses and a key part of Musk's plan to expand electric mobility globally.
Despite being packed with advanced tech and capable of excellent performance, their position as entry-level models and minimalist interiors feels like an unlikely choice for the President's tastes.
Though Trump has been working to save money for the federal government, as someone with an apartment modeled after the Palace of Versailles, he's not known for being particularly frugal with his own money.
Model S: The super sedan
The original Roadster may have been the first Tesla, but it was the Model S that put the EV maker on the map and solidified Musk's position as an innovator in the automotive industry.
The Model S is Tesla's performance flagship, a superlative that will certainly catch Trump's attention.
The Model S's fastest variant, the "plaid," has a top speed of 200 mph and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in less than 2 seconds, making it one of the world's 10 fastest-accelerating production cars.
That's enough to make Trump the king of the dragstrip.
The Model S also offers its own kind of Secret Service — a security feature called "Sentry Mode," which uses the car's external cameras to monitor and provide a live feed of outside threats to the vehicle.
With recent reports of Teslas being vandalized, this feature would help protect Trump's car out in public, though it is difficult to imagine a president's car ever being parked out on the street.
Model X: The Fabrege Egg of cars
Although the Model X is nearly a decade old now, it's still the most interesting and daring vehicle in Tesla's lineup.
The single-piece glass roof windshield and automatic falcon wing doors are unique and were such a challenge that Musk has tried to replicate them in successive models.
It's a vehicle Musk once called a "work of art" and the Fabrege Egg of cars.
On the practical side, if Trump wants the Tesla with the most headroom for himself and his tall family — Trump's height is listed at 6 foot 3 inches, and his son Barron is between 6 foot 7 and 9 inches — then the Model X is the way to go.
With all add-on features included, the four-door SUV Model X can cost over $116,000 (before tax breaks), making it the priciest Tesla on the market.
And as a seven-seater vehicle, Trump and every member of his immediate family — Melania, Tiffany, Barron, Ivanka, Don Jr., and Eric — would all fit into the car at once, though it would likely be a much tighter squeeze than the billionaire family is used to.
As the most expensive Tesla, Trump may very well choose this model, less for its family room, but more to give his buddy's struggling company the biggest boost.
Cybertruck: The most controversial Tesla
If Tesla's S3XY Models fail to grab the Donald's attention, there's always the boldly styled Cyberstruck.
The controversial Cybertruck — the subject of widespread ridicule on social media and real-life attacks — would certainly make the biggest statement as a show of support for Musk. And as Trump said in his Tuesday tweet, supporting Musk is his main goal in buying a Tesla.
When all add-on features are included, the four-door Cybertruck in Cyberbeast mode can cost over $111,000.
The Cybertruck offers a bit more security than other Tesla models because of its tougher exterior and windows. Still, the EV isn't quite as tough or bulletproof as Musk has claimed. The Cybertruck's stainless steel paneling has been reported to withstand bullets from a handgun, but not from faster weapons. And its "armor glass" windows famously broke during an onstage demonstration at Cybertruck's launch.
One thing for Trump to consider here though is that he does already have a Cybertruck, which was given to him as a gift from conservative, high-profile streamer Adin Ross. But, perhaps His and Hers Cybertrucks are in the future for Trump and Melania.
