Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has accused legacy media of biased reporting on Tesla vehicle accidents. He pointed to selective headlines that emphasize the brand even when driver actions caused the crash.
DeSantis made the comments in a July 17, 2026, post on X. He questioned why outlets routinely name Tesla in crash stories while using generic descriptions for similar incidents involving other automakers.
The governor cited a June 19, 2026, fatal crash in Katy, Texas. A Tesla Model 3 driven by Michael Butler struck a home at high speed, killing Martha Avila. Initial reports focused on the Tesla brand and speculated about automated driving systems.
Tesla provided vehicle data showing Butler manually overrode the system and floored the accelerator to 73 MPH. The National Transportation Safety Board confirmed the findings, and Butler faces manslaughter charges.
DeSantis highlighted a Washington Post headline that still centered the Tesla name despite noting the driver’s actions. He asked if media outlets apply the same brand-specific framing to other vehicles.
