A video circulating widely on social media platforms purports to show Donald Trump announcing a ban on the production of Tesla vehicles in the United States. The alleged reason for this drastic action is a supposed feud between Trump and Elon Musk, Tesla’s CEO.
In the viral video, a voice resembling the former US President states, “Today, I am here to announce that I will be banning the production of all Teslas in the United States of America, effective immediately. As everyone knows,
Elon stabbed me in the back a couple days ago and went crazy on his platform X, lying about my involvement in the Epstein files…Nobody likes Teslas anyways, unless you’re a nerd, they catch fire and break down easily…” The video further quotes Trump calling Teslas “junk cars” for “nerds” and referring to Musk as a “snake.” This video has been widely shared with claims that Trump has indeed banned Tesla production in the US.
The Truth Behind the Viral Video
An investigation into the video’s authenticity reveals it to be entirely fabricated.
No Credible Ban Confirmation
There are no credible sources that confirm any ban on the production of Tesla vehicles in the United States. Multiple independent fact-checking organizations, including Factly and Newschecker, have thoroughly investigated the video. Their findings consistently indicate that the video has been manipulated using advanced AI tools.
A community note appended to the viral video on social media explicitly states: “Misinformation! This video is AI-generated. Nothing to do with reality.” This immediate disclaimer helps to combat the spread of false information.
AI Manipulation and Original Context
Factly’s investigation successfully located the original video from which the deepfake was created. The authentic video was uploaded to the YouTube channel of ABC 10 News on May 31, 2025. Its actual title is “Trump Honors Elon Musk in Final Day at White House | Full Video.” The description of this original video clarifies its true content:
“President Donald Trump bid farewell to Elon Musk in the Oval Office, recognizing his impact as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Musk, known for his leadership at Tesla, SpaceX, and X, was credited with reforming bureaucracy and cutting billions in federal spending. Though controversial, Musk’s tenure is considered one of the most sweeping government reform efforts in modern U.S. history.”
Crucially, a thorough review of the entire original video confirms that Trump made no announcement regarding a ban on Tesla. The official transcript of the press conference also contains no reference whatsoever to such a ban. Therefore, the viral video is definitively a product of AI manipulation, and no ban on Tesla production in the U.S. has actually been announced by Donald Trump. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the growing challenge posed by AI-generated misinformation.
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