When a former president swaps his armored limousine for an electric car, it’s bound to make headlines. Donald Trump surprised everyone by stepping into a Tesla instead of “The Beast,” his iconic security vehicle.

The company's shares climbed 7.6 percent on Wednesday after Trump and Elon Musk hosted a Tesla showcase at the White House.

Trump has repeatedly demonstrated his appetite for overturning norms and pushing ethical bounds, so his latest stunt as a Tesla salesman is not altogether shocking. When Trump learned in 2016 that U.S.

Trump announced his intention to buy a Tesla on Monday night to support his close adviser billionaire Elon Musk, who is the CEO of the car company. "That's beautiful," Trump said, getting into the front seat of a red Model S on Tuesday.

The decision was announced during an interaction with Elon Musk, CEO and co-founder of Tesla, who also leads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). A sitting US President is not allowed to drive a car on public roads due to strict security protocols enforced by the Secret Service.

In front of the White House as he looked over the Tesla vehicles, President Trump said he would not be allowed to drive his new car.