Following President Donald Trump's Tesla car show at the White House Tuesday afternoon, the internet is drawing parallels between Trump and another leader who historically linked himself to a car brand.
In 1934, Adolf Hitler and the Reich Association of the German Automotive Industry recruited Ferdinand Porsche to create the "people's car" under the brand name Volkswagen. Just over 90 years later, photos of Hitler promoting Volkswagen are recirculating in comparison to Trump's promotion of Tesla.
Billionaire Tesla CEO Elon Musk, whose influence in Washington has grown despite not holding elected office, has seen the electric vehicle's stocks plummet from $480 in December 2024 to $220 in March 2025, a staggering loss of more than $100 billion in value.
Amid widespread consumer boycotts and growing criticism of Musk's political entanglements, Trump stepped in to rally support, urging his base to buy Tesla vehicles and declaring his own $80,000 purchase as an act of defiance against "Radical Left Lunatics."
Social media users were quick to point out the unsettling similarities.
Adolf Hitler helping one of his biggest donors sell a car in 1938.
— BladeoftheSun (@BladeoftheS) March 12, 2025
History doesn't change it just repeats. pic.twitter.com/sDvwSOCjPQ
"Adolf Hitler helping one of his biggest donors sell a car in 1938," an X user wrote above a photo of Hitler seated in a Volkswagen, surrounded by officers. "History doesn't change, it just repeats."
On Reddit, a 1938 photo shows Hitler unveiling the Volkswagen factory to a crowd on his 50th birthday. "The German fascist regime promoting the 'people's car' 80 years ago," the caption says.
"They say, 'History Doesn't Repeat Itself, but It Often Rhymes,' but Trump is just straight up plagiarizing at this point..." one comment reads.
"The parallels get worse and worse," another says. "Here we go."
Meanwhile, protests continue over the administration's policies, including Musk's threats to end Social Security Income.
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