Fact check: Did Elon Musk pay Donald Trump $100M for advertising Tesla automobiles at the White House in March of 2025?

1. Summary of the results

The claim about a $100M payment from Elon Musk to Donald Trump for Tesla advertising at the White House is not supported by any of the provided sources. Instead, the evidence shows:

• Trump voluntarily purchased a Tesla for $80,000 as a show of support for Musk and his company ^[1]
• A White House event promoting Tesla did occur, but it was characterized as a political favor rather than a paid advertising arrangement ^[2]
• Musk has made significant political donations to Trump-affiliated causes, including approximately $300M to help Trump get elected ^[3]

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several important contextual elements are missing from the original statement:

• Tesla is currently facing declining sales and stock prices ^[1]
• The relationship between Trump and Musk appears to be more politically motivated than commercially driven:
• Musk is planning to donate an additional $100M to Trump-affiliated political groups ^[4]
• The White House Tesla event included both Trump and Musk's presence ^[5]
• There are ethical concerns about the blurring of lines between government and private sector interests ^[6]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement appears to mischaracterize the nature of the relationship between Musk and Trump:

• It incorrectly frames their interaction as a commercial advertising deal when it's actually part of a broader political alliance
• Those who benefit from this mischaracterization include:
• Political opponents who might want to frame the relationship as purely transactional
• Those trying to downplay the significant political support ($300M) Musk has provided to Trump ^[3]
• A false viral image about Tesla discounts has also been circulating, suggesting an ongoing pattern of misinformation about Tesla and Trump's relationship ^[7]

The reality appears to be more complex, involving political donations, public support, and mutual benefits rather than a straightforward advertising payment.