Viral Video Claiming Trump Banned Tesla Production Is Fake

: Viral Video Claiming Trump Banned Tesla Production Is Fake

A viral video circulating online claims that former U.S. President Donald Trump has immediately banned Tesla vehicle production in the United States following a public fallout with Tesla CEO Elon Musk. However, we found this claim to be false. There is no credible evidence that such an announcement ever occurred. The video is manipulated and AI-generated.

Social Media Posts

A viral video shared widely on social media shows Trump announcing a ban on Tesla production, calling Tesla vehicles “junk cars” and Musk a “snake,” with the ban purportedly “effective immediately.” The video gained significant traction amid recent tensions between Trump and Musk.

Source | Archive

Source | Archive

Fact Check

We began investigating by using a reverse image search in order to trace to the origin, which led to the real footage, the press event on May 31, 2025, published by ABC 10 News, titled “Trump Honors Elon Musk on Final Day at White House”. In the authentic video, Trump makes no mention of banning Tesla or attacking Elon Musk personally.

To enhance the illusion, the viral clip was horizontally flipped and paired with a synthetic voice mimicking Trump’s speech patterns. AI detection tool Hive Moderation analyzed the clip and found it to be 95.5% likely AI-generated or deepfaked, further undermining its authenticity.

A review of official records shows no statements, executive orders, or legislative measures from Trump or any U.S. authority regarding Tesla operations. No major news outlets have reported any policy changes affecting Tesla’s production. Given the significant media attention typically given to presidential decisions affecting major companies, the absence of any such coverage suggests this claimed ban did not occur.

Recent Trump–Musk Public Disagreements

The Trump-Musk political relationship evolved significantly between 2024-2025. Following Trump’s re-election in 2024, he appointed Musk as head of the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). During this period, Musk participated in the inauguration ceremony and implemented various agency reforms.

The working relationship ended in May 2025 when Musk expressed opposition to Trump’s proposed spending bill. Following Musk’s resignation from his government position, both parties exchanged public statements regarding potential disclosure of information and government contracts.

Their subsequent disagreements centered on policy matters including government spending, electric vehicle subsidies, and space program funding. The situation highlighted the complex nature of political and business relationships in government.

(Source: Business Insider CNN NBC News Reuters)

Impact on Consumers and Market Trust

The public feud between Elon Musk and Donald Trump has significantly shaken consumer confidence and market trust in Tesla. Already facing declining sales and increased competition, Tesla’s stock plunged 14%, wiping out around $150 billion in market value—the largest single-day loss in its history. The dispute raised investor fears about potential regulatory backlash, loss of government contracts, and the removal of key subsidies, all of which could hurt Tesla’s future growth and brand reputation. Analysts warn that ongoing political controversy adds uncertainty, potentially damaging Tesla’s market position amid rising competition from lower-priced electric vehicle manufacturers

(Source: BBC News, Business Insider, Times of India, CNN)

No Response from Tesla, But No Cause for Alarm

Tesla has not issued any official statement directly addressing the Musk-Trump feud or the resulting market turmoil. While the White House reportedly expressed interest in resolving tensions through dialogue, no formal reconciliation has been announced. Tesla’s leadership appears focused on navigating the fallout quietly, as public comments have come primarily from Musk himself via social media rather than corporate channels. The lack of clear communication from Tesla amid the conflict has contributed to investor uncertainty and speculation about the company’s regulatory and political risks.

(Source: CNBC, Reuters, Deutsche Welle)

Conclusion

The claim that Donald Trump announced an immediate ban on Tesla vehicle production is false. The video in question has been manipulated using AI and repurposed from a real event where no such statements were made. While the Trump–Musk conflict is real, this specific narrative is not.