Donald Trump’s Tesla Advertisement: Corruption
Payton Costenbader
Marketing Editor
During Donald Trump’s 2025 election campaign, Elon Musk has been heavily involved in supporting the Republican Party. This business relationship stems from shared views over the economic state of the country and personal moral values. Musk has often publicly supported Trump’s views and policies, but is possible that their connection is making American’s question the ethical position that Trump holds as a government official?
Recently Tesla INC, Elon Musk’s automotive and clean energy company, has faced a massive decline of over 48% since peaking during election season. One of Musk’s recent efforts to save face was producing an advertisements, featuring our president himself on Whitehouse property. It is not uncommon for Presidents to support compa
nies during their time in office, but to publicly endorse a brand on site blurs the lines between ethical norms and corruption. To endorse a single brand is to open the field for all brands to purchase America’s most impactful voice as a celebrity endorsement.
The advertisement, where Trump announced his red Model S purchase in front of the white house, is a notable example of a conflict of interest featuring the President using his power for his personal friend’s benefit. This is a clear attempt at salvaging the brand reputation for Tesla as they face the massive market decline that grows deeper daily. Senator Chris Murphy went beyond the conflict of interest depiction and accused the president of blatant corruption. Corruption is fraudulent conduct carried out by a person in a position of power, which is exactly what Trump is using his government official privileges for.
The fine line of corruption and lawful boundaries that the President is walking upon may be all for nothing as the advertisement is not having its intended effect. Bringing politics into the brand image so closely has already triggered protests and vandalism at dealerships nationwide and investors are seething as they see the worth of their stocks plumet. Across America, Tesla owners are upset with Musk, some going as far to hide the logo on their distinct cars to show they no longer support the brand they are driving.
The political undertones of this situation are not suitable for brand representation and have had a negative impact on Tesla INC. The advertisement that was produced was, unfortunately, not the best campaign to pull Tesla stock back to its original success. As the stockholders await better marketing campaigns, they still face massive losses in their investment. Elon Musk must begin making responsible and ethical brand decisions in order to salvage the company from this backlash.
Contact Payton @ costenpa@shu.edu