Trump Defends Musk as $400M Tesla Contract Sparks Ethics Questions
The U.S. State Department's procurement plans for armored electric vehicles raise concerns over potential conflicts of interest for Elon Musk, who leads a government efficiency initiative.
- A U.S. State Department document initially mentioned a $400 million contract for Tesla vehicles, later revised to refer more generally to armored electric vehicles.
- Elon Musk, Tesla CEO and head of the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), faces scrutiny over potential conflicts of interest due to his dual roles in government and private enterprise.
- President Trump defended Musk, stating that measures are in place to avoid conflicts and that Musk would not misuse his position for personal gain.
- The Cybertruck is speculated to be the most suitable Tesla model for the contract, though Tesla would need third-party firms to handle armoring modifications.
- The procurement plans trace back to a Biden-era directive exploring the feasibility of armored EVs, with BMW also reportedly considered for a smaller $40 million contract.
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