Senate Democrats seek investigation into Trump, Musk Tesla event

Democratic senators are calling for an investigation into Elon Musk for potentially violating federal ethics laws during a recent promotional event at the White House with President Trump. The event featured Trump expressing interest in purchasing a Tesla vehicle, which the senators argue misused government resources and blurred the lines between personal business interests and official duties. In a letter to the Office of Government Ethics, Senators Elizabeth Warren, Adam Schiff, Cory Booker, and Richard Blumenthal emphasized that Musk's actions as a special government employee should adhere to ethics regulations that prohibit endorsing private companies. The senators contend that the event effectively turned the White House into a 'temporary Tesla showroom,' thereby implying government endorsement of Musk's business. While federal ethics laws apply to most employees, the president is exempt, raising questions about the enforcement of these regulations in this instance. The lawmakers stress that maintaining ethical standards is crucial for ensuring taxpayer resources are used appropriately.