A CNN discussion got heated when panelists squared off over President Donald Trump’s White House Tesla test drive alongside billionaire entrepreneur — and Tesla CEO — Elon Musk.
Democratic communications strategist Xochitl Hinojosa kicked off the conversation by suggesting that any Republican strategist worth his salt would not have advised Trump to support a billionaire’s business in full view of the public, especially while said billionaire was working with the Department Of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
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.@ScottJenningsKY wins another 4-on-1 exchange on CNN 🔥
CNN Commentator: “As a Republican strategist, you wouldn’t have advised him to go in front of the White House and drive a Tesla?!”@ScottJenningsKY: “Wait, why?! Of course I would have…! Yeah, I think it would be a good… pic.twitter.com/5jHBJsKdgL
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) March 12, 2025
“I’m assuming you agree, because as a Republican strategist, you wouldn’t have advised him to go in front of the White House and drive a Tesla when people —” Hinojosa began.
“Wait, why?” Republican commentator Scott Jennings appeared genuinely baffled by the suggestion. “Of course I would have! You know why? Because if I were advising a Republican president, I would say, ‘Let’s support American companies that have thousands of American workers and thousands more workers who make indirect products for it! Yeah, I think it would be a good idea if American companies did well!”
“Okay, so you’re going to go ahead and support a billionaire, but not support the American worker?” Hinojosa asked, glossing over the fact that Jennings had just pointed out how many Americans Tesla employs.
“Who do you think makes Teslas, Xochitl?! American workers! You think Elon Musk builds them all in his basement?” Jennings shot back. “They’ve got factories all over the place —”
Another panelist interjected then to say that some of the factories were in China, but when Jennings pointed out that Musk still employed thousands of Americans in addition to that, he ultimately conceded the point.
Hinojosa then claimed that it was the optics that concerned her, arguing that Trump driving a vehicle that had a six-figure price tag was out of touch.
“Did Joe Biden drive a Jeep Rubicon around the South Lawn? Where do they make those?” Jennings asked, noting that members of the UAW had supported former President Joe Biden.
“We’re talking about a billionaire,” Hinojosa insisted. “A billionaire who is in the federal government making cuts and making business deals that end up benefitting himself. It’s a terrible look for Donald Trump.”
“I’ve NEVER seen Democrats so excited to tear down an American company or companies the way they are right now. It’s crazy!” Jennings concluded.
