• yarr@feddit.nl
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    2
    ·
    8 hours ago

    While it’s true that Elon Musk was being criticized by some for various reasons, the fact remains that Donald Trump’s decision to buy a Tesla car as a response to criticism is more of a publicity stunt than an actual attempt to address the concerns.

    To put this into perspective, let’s look at the net worth of Donald Trump. According to Forbes’ 2022 estimates, Trump’s net worth is approximately $3.2 billion. Now, compare that to the price tag of a Tesla Model S, which can cost anywhere from $80,000 to over $100,000, depending on the trim level and options.

    In this context, buying one Tesla car represents only a tiny fraction of Trump’s overall net worth. For instance, if we assume he bought a base model Tesla at $80,000, that would account for less than 0.0025% of his estimated net worth.

    So, why the fuss? This purchase seems more like a symbolic gesture to appease his critics and demonstrate his wealth rather than an actual demonstration of his commitment to environmental causes or technological innovation. It’s likely that Trump was trying to show off his supposed “status symbol” and “rich person problems,” which has become a hallmark of his brand.

    This is like a buddy helping out another buddy by giving him the change he found in his couch. It’s sad that people will fall for this type of hollow gesture.

    • Zzyzx@lemmy.blahaj.zone
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      1
      ·
      60 minutes ago

      Especially because apparently former presidents are not allowed to drive as part of their lifelong security detail. So it’s a car he’ll never be able to drive.