Strange Twist: Why Donald Trump Can’t Drive the Tesla He Just Bought from Elon Musk

Donald Trump became the proud new owner of a Tesla this week, but while he might be one of the most powerful men in the world, he doesn’t have the power to drive it.

I’m not talking literally – Trump is, as far as we know, capable of driving a car, he’s just not allowed to drive this particular one.

The POTUS’ new purchase came as a number of Telsa models were deposited at the White House for display amid Trump’s ongoing collaboration with Musk, and at a time when Tesla is facing struggles on the stock market.

The electric carmaker has lost half its value in three months, and as its share price tanked to a new low this week, Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to accuse ‘the Radical Left Lunatics’ of ‘trying to illegally and collusively boycott Tesla’.

Why has Trump bought a Tesla?

In his Truth Social post, Trump went on to brand Tesla as Musk’s ‘baby’ and explained that he planned to buy one of the cars to show support for Musk amid the alleged ‘boycott’.

He wrote: “In any event, 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. Why should he be punished for putting his tremendous skills to work in order to help MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN???”

The president selected a shiny red Model S as his Tesla of choice, and proceeded to take a seat inside the car to check out all of its interior features.

Why can’t Trump drive the Tesla?

Though Trump declared the car ‘beautiful’, there’s one rule that will prevent him from actually cruising down the streets in it: US presidents are not allowed to drive their own cars.

The president admitted he was aware of this rule when he bought the car, telling reporters: “I’m gonna buy one, now here’s the bad news. I’m not allowed to drive. I haven’t driven a car in a long time. And I love to drive cars […]

“I’m not allowed to use it. Can you believe it?”

Trump bought a red model S Tesla (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Why aren’t presidents allowed to drive?

Trump’s restrictions stem from a rule enforced by the US Secret Service, which states that presidents are not allowed to drive on public roads for the purpose of their own safety.

Even after presidents leave office, the Former Presidents Act ensures they have protection – including a designated driver – which means they won’t need to put themselves behind the wheel and potentially in harm’s way.

The last US president to drive on public roads was Lyndon B. Johnson, who ran the country from 1963 to 1969. Now, presidents travel with Secret Service agents who are trained in ‘evasive and defensive driving maneuvers’, CNBC reports.

Are there any exceptions to the driving rule?

Presidents are permitted to drive their own vehicles on private property, and presidents, including Trump, have also been seen behind the wheel of golf carts.

So, what will Trump do with his Tesla?

Since he can’t drive the car himself, the president has declared that he will keep his new Tesla at the White House and ‘let [his] staff use it’.

“I’m gonna let people at the place use it,” he told reporters, adding: “They all are all excited about that.”