Like the old saying goes, the honeymoon is over.

Stock prices tumbled as President Donald Trump proceeded with his plan to reform global trade. Tariffs on imports from Canada, China and Mexico kicked in this week, creating unease on Wall Street and, coupled with mass firings in the federal government, have raised speculation the country is barreling toward a recession. 

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed recession fears, calling the stock market numbers “a snapshot of a moment in time,” while reminding reporters the president has called this “a period of economic transition.”

Meanwhile, Trump tried to comfort his billionaire buddy, Elon Musk, by buying a Tesla and parading it on the South Lawn. Musk’s company has become a target of vandals, with numerous attacks on vehicles, dealerships and charging stations. 

Musk, whose net worth dropped $29 billion in one day, promised to double Tesla’s domestic output over the next two years. 

Trump picked a red Model S, calling it “beautiful,” but lamenting that he will not be driving it.

“I’m not allowed to drive,” he said. “I haven’t driven a car in a long time.”

Trump said he’d let his staff take it for a drive instead.

Reaction to Trump’s Tesla promotion ranged from questions of ethics violations — Musk does run a government agency — to sarcasm. 

“I mean, I guess it’s a good thing that #maga ppl are now buying electric cars to own the libs,” Colorado Gov. Jared Polis posted on X.