The U.S. government clarified that it has not awarded Tesla a contract to produce armored electric cars, despite a budget document suggesting a $400 million plan. The State Department spokesperson explained that the agency had asked for interest from private companies to produce electric vehicles, leading to a request for information. However, only one company expressed interest and no official solicitation was sent out. The listing in the budget document for an “Armored Tesla” was in the planning phase and did not specify a model. After the news reports sparked speculation, the State Department removed the mention of Tesla from the spreadsheet and uploaded a revised version to their website.
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, denied knowledge of any $400 million contract with the government. Musk’s role in the Trump administration and his significant government contracts have raised questions about potential conflicts of interest. While Musk’s SpaceX has received billions in government contracts, the State Department confirmed that no contracts have been awarded to Tesla or any other vehicle manufacturer for producing armored electric vehicles for them.
The confusion over the potential Tesla contract highlights Musk’s power and influence, as well as concerns about conflicts of interest in his government contracts and advisory role. The issue also underscores the scrutiny facing Musk and his companies due to his involvement in the Trump administration and his efforts to cut government spending and reduce the federal workforce.
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