Did you ever imagine Donald Trump behind the wheel of a Tesla? Well, he isn’t driving it, but he now owns a red Tesla Model S. The deal went down on March 11, 2025, with Elon Musk himself showcasing the car to Trump during a White House event. Despite the Model S’s blazing acceleration and futuristic features, Trump made it clear that someone else will handle the driving.
This move comes at a tricky time for Tesla. The company has been dealing with slipping sales and falling stock prices. Bringing Trump into the mix could stir up both hype and controversy. Musk even rolled out the Cybertruck at the event, but the real spotlight was on the Tesla Model S.
Musk claims even the entry-level Teslas start at $35,000, but the Model S definitely plays in the luxury league at $90,000—about ₹77 lakh. Musk’s focus, as always, is to keep pushing what people think electric cars can do.
If you’re in India and have been waiting to see a Model S up close, the wait is nearly over. Tesla has set its sights on a January 2026 launch, with an estimated price between ₹70 lakh and ₹1 crore. While Tesla’s Model Y is already expected to hit the Indian market for ₹60 to 68 lakh in its different variants, the Model S will clearly be the flagship for buyers looking for something premium.
Rolling out in India won’t be simple. For one thing, luxury car buyers are still a niche, and EV infrastructure is growing but not widespread. Tesla seems undeterred, banking on the Model S’s global reputation for speed and high-tech amenities to attract the wealthiest buyers in Indian cities.
Musk is also betting big on creating buzz with his personal touch—just as he did with Trump. These high-profile events often get people talking, which is exactly what Tesla needs as it navigates shifting consumer attitudes and fresh competition from local and international brands.
But it’s not all fanfare. When Trump praised the Model S as a symbol of American innovation, critics raised eyebrows. Tesla has been tangled in political chatter lately, mainly because of Musk’s role heading up the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has made sweeping changes in the federal workforce. Some say this risks alienating certain customers, making Tesla a flashpoint for bigger debates about electric vehicles and who supports them.
Attacks against Tesla stores and supporters—reported recently—show just how intense the conversation has gotten. That’s why every move, especially headline-grabbing purchases like Trump’s, gets dissected from every angle, affecting how people see the brand both in the US and soon in India as well.