On March 16, 2025, a clip from Fox News Sunday featuring host Shannon Bream gained attention online after it addressed President Trump’s purchase of a Tesla from Elon Musk. The purchase occurred against a backdrop of market volatility related to tariffs. An account known as MAGALieTracker shared the segment, suggesting that Bream’s commentary was disparaging and condemned the use of the White House in this manner.
Concerns Over Sensitivity
During the broadcast, Shannon Bream initiated a discussion surrounding the significance of the timing of Trump’s Tesla purchase. She noted, “In the White House, where he surveyed some cars, it was happening as Americans’ 401K accounts were facing some struggles because of the tariff war happening right now.” Bream’s questioning included whether it was appropriate for the President to utilize his position in such a context, stating, “Was that an appropriate thing for the President to do there? Was it sensitive to the moment that we are in, buying a car, using the White House as a backdrop for that?”
In response, a guest on the program defended Trump’s decision by arguing that promoting American-made products is a long-standing tradition for U.S. presidents. He emphasized that Trump was not the first president to endorse American manufacturing in this way, citing that previous administrations have engaged in similar actions.
Reactions on Social Media
Reaction to the Fox News segment unfolded rapidly on social media. A liberal account highlighted Bream’s remarks, framing them as a significant criticism of Trump, declaring, “BREAKING: A FOX News host just SLAMMED Trump for his unethical and tone deaf use of the White House as a Tesla dealership while the stock market was in free fall.”
In the comments section, many conservative users defended Trump and expressed their support for initiatives related to American manufacturing. One commentator underscored the diversity of opinions among conservatives, stating, “It seems you’re just starting to realize that conservatives don’t march in lockstep like the leftist lunatics. Nope, we have differing opinions. I know this is confusing to lemmings like you. I also have taken issue with things Trump has done. I still support him, however.” This reflects an ongoing dialogue where voters differentiate their support from total ideological alignment.
Another conservative voice added a sarcastic commentary regarding Biden’s similar actions, remarking, “But Biden doing it was classier, right? Lol. I say that because he literally did the same thing. Don’t be so biased. It makes you look stupid…” Such sentiments illustrate a perceived double standard in media coverage, especially related to actions taken by different political figures.
The Broader Context of Political Messaging
Several commenters expressed dissatisfaction with what they see as bias against Trump. One pointed out the contrast in media reactions, stating, “Yet when Joe Biden did it, even taking a slow lap in a Jeep, an event Tesla was intentionally left out of due to political reasons, no one had an issue with it.” This sentiment reflects a broader narrative among some conservatives that the media applies a different standard to critiques of political leaders based on their party affiliation.
Building on this, another observer noted, “Biden did it with a FOREIGN owned auto maker and democrats cheered. Trump does it with AMERICAN owned auto maker and the democrats cry ‘the sky is falling.’ Imagine that.” This indicates a frustration with perceived inconsistencies in the political discourse surrounding actions taken by both Republican and Democratic leaders.
As the discussions surrounding the segment persist, it highlights the complexities of political representation, media interpretation, and public perception in the current landscape.