Trump says he's buying a Tesla car to support Musk
What's the story
US President Donald Trump has said he will buy a new Tesla car to support Elon Musk.
The announcement came on Trump's social media platform Truth Social, amid protests against the electric vehicle maker across the US.
He called Musk "a truly great American" and accused the "Radical Left Lunatics" of trying to boycott Tesla illegally and collusively.
Support for Musk
A look at Trump's statement
In his Truth Social post, Trump wrote, "To Republicans, Conservatives, and all great Americans, Elon Musk is 'putting it on the line' in order to help our Nation."
Praising Musk's work, he called it a "FANTASTIC JOB!"
The US President also claimed that left-wing activists were attempting to damage Tesla.
Backlash
Protests against Tesla amid Musk's government role
Tesla has been facing some serious backlash lately; protesters have vandalized the company's showrooms, charging stations, and vehicles.
The demonstrations are against Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) slashing federal jobs and budgets.
Most protests have been peaceful, but reports of vandalism have emerged.
Such incidents might pose a financial challenge for the EV maker as it registers declining sales for the first time amid increased competition and backlash over Musk's contentious role in the Trump administration.
Market impact
Tesla's stock plunges
Tesla's stock plunged over 15% on Monday, its steepest single-day decline in years. The fall was exacerbated by a wider market sell-off amid recession fears and uncertainty over Trump's tariff policies. Despite the protests and financial challenges facing Tesla, Trump has remained supportive of Musk.