Tesla’s Last 100 Days: What Just Happened Under Trump 2.0?

Alright, let’s talk about the 100-day whirlwind Tesla just lived through—from January 20 to May 5, 2025. Politics, protests, presidential test drives… it’s been messy. If you’ve felt like you can’t tell whether Tesla’s flying high or spiraling, you’re not alone.

So here’s the deal. We’re gonna cut through the noise, skip the Twitter rants, and lay out the wins, the faceplants, and everything in between. Balanced. Honest. No fluff.

The Good Stuff (Because Yes, There Was Some)

1. A Presidential Shoutout That Turned Heads

Trump basically turned the White House lawn into a Tesla showroom back in March. He test-drove a Model S, gave the Cybertruck a thumbs-up, and said he was buying one. Whether you love or loathe Trump, that kind of visibility is no joke. It was livestreamed to millions on X and put Tesla smack in the middle of the national spotlight.

Did it instantly spike sales? No. But it did reinforce Tesla’s image as the EV of choice for people who don’t just follow trends—they bend them.

2. Tariff Reprieve: A Big (and Quiet) Win

At first, Trump’s 25% tariff on imported cars and parts looked like a gut punch. But then came the executive orders on April 29: materials like steel and aluminum got exemptions, and imported parts got a two-year grace period. That’s a win for Tesla, full stop.

They rely on a global supply chain. No one wants to pay $8K more for a car because someone slapped a fee on German brake systems. This kept costs from ballooning and avoided a pricing nightmare.

3. Musk’s Seat at the Table

Love him or hate him, Elon Musk had Washington’s ear. His role in the new Department of Government Efficiency (aka DOGE, yes really) meant former Tesla staffers were embedded in federal agencies, pushing for leaner budgets and (ideally) pro-EV policies.

The upside? Tesla got a direct line to lawmakers. Stuff like EV infrastructure and autonomous driving rules? Tesla wasn’t just reacting—they were influencing. Whether you think that’s genius or gross is up to you, but it happened.

4. Still Building, Still Innovating

Even in the middle of the chaos, Tesla didn’t stop. Musk said they’re doubling U.S. production, FSD updates kept rolling out, and the Cybertruck—polarizing as ever—kept pulling eyeballs. You don’t have to like the man to admit the company’s still pushing forward.

The Not-So-Great Stuff (And There’s a Lot)

1. Earnings Fell Off a Cliff

Let’s not sugarcoat it: Tesla’s Q1 earnings dropped 71%. That’s a $1.4 billion to $409 million nosedive. Global protests, Musk’s political baggage, and just plain soft demand all played a role.

The stock tanked 32%. Musk’s net worth dropped by a cool $100 billion. Investors panicked. Nobody was popping champagne. Of course, if you've been following us at all you know that we've been talking about this for months. No surprises at Rebellionaire.

2. Brand Damage Is Real

Musk’s cozy relationship with Trump might have gotten Tesla some perks, but it came with a heavy cost. Protests erupted at Tesla stores around the world. People who once saw Tesla as a clean energy revolution now saw it as a political football.

Boycotts. Angry X threads. Think pieces. Suddenly, the same crowd that cheered the Model Y was saying “hard pass.”

3. Tariffs Eased, But The Trade Storm Didn't

Yes, Tesla dodged the worst of the tariffs. But the economy’s still shaky. The dollar dropped 9%. Recession fears are creeping in. And EVs? They’re not exactly impulse buys. Economic headwinds make people pause—especially when your cars are still seen as premium.

Plus, even with exemptions, Tesla’s still exposed to global supply chains. One wrong move in Europe or Asia, and things get dicey.

4. Musk Spreads Himself Thin—Again

Let’s be real: DOGE, X, Tesla, SpaceX... the man’s spinning more plates than a Vegas act. And it’s showing. Cabinet members were reportedly frustrated. Lawsuits dropped. And Tesla? Still hasn’t delivered on that "doubling production" promise.

Trying to run the country and run a car company at the same time? Not a great look. Investors want focus. Not flame wars.

So… What Do You Make of All This?

Tesla’s last 100 days were... complicated. On one hand, they got the kind of political visibility money can’t buy. They avoided the worst-case scenario with tariffs. They kept building, kept shipping, kept leading.

On the other? They bled cash, got hit with brand backlash, and watched consumer sentiment do a full 180.

Is Tesla in trouble? No. Not yet. But is it a bit off-balance? Absolutely. The next 100 days are gonna be crucial. Either they lean into the innovation and get back to basics—or they get dragged deeper into a culture war they probably didn’t need to join in the first place.

Want to stay ahead of the chaos? That’s what we do at Rebellionaire—cut through the noise, read the tea leaves, and help you invest like a renegade, not a follower.

👉 Reach out here if you're done playing by Wall Street’s outdated rulebook.