Trump official faces backlash for promoting Tesla stock

A recent appearance by Howard Lutnick, the U.S. Commerce Secretary under Trump, on Fox News has stirred controversy. During his segment on "Jesse Watters Primetime," Lutnick urged viewers to buy Tesla stock. He claimed Tesla's stock is currently undervalued and suggested that people will regret not investing. Critics quickly responded, arguing that Lutnick's promotion of the stock could be illegal. Democratic strategist Chris D. Jackson and others highlighted the potential ethics violations. They compared this situation to a past incident involving Kellyanne Conway, who faced backlash for promoting Ivanka Trump’s clothing line. Some critics went further, suggesting that if Lutnick owns Tesla stock, he may have committed a serious ethics offense. Others stated that if he does not own the stock, his comments still represent a breach of trust with the public. The discussion has led to widespread outrage on social media, with many calling for accountability. The episode raises questions about the influence of government officials on private investment and the ethical implications of their statements.