Posted on 02/14/2025 9:41:46 AM PST by SeekAndFind
Sen. Richard Blumenthal is calling for a response from the U.S. State Department after reports surfaced about $400 million worth of contracts for armored vehicles produced by Tesla.
In a letter sent to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and obtained by CBS News, Blumenthal, D-Conn., demanded to know why the department was entertaining the idea, given the possible conflict of interest concerning Tesla owner Elon Musk's dual role in President Donald Trump's administration.
"Mr. Musk's dual roles pose conflicts of interest so obvious that they hardly require explanation," Blumenthal wrote.
"The State Department's intent to purchase armored Cybertrucks suggests the conflicts of interest inherent in Mr. Musk's installation of his cronies throughout the government are not being adequately managed and, in fact, are increasing by the minute.
The idea originated under former President Joe Biden's administration, MSNBC reported, adding that Biden directed the State Department to "solicit interest" from private companies for armored electric vehicles.
A State Department told The Hill the $400 contract "is on hold and there are no current plans to issue it."
The $400 million contract for armoured versions of Tesla's Cybertruck was reported earlier in the week. At the time, government documents showed the contract was set to be awarded during the fourth quarter of this year
Musk, the world's richest man, has been leading the newly-formed Department of Government Efficiency since Trump took office in January. He pledged $300 million to Trump's election campaign. The billionaire's companies have already received millions in government contracts. Musk-owned SpaceX has been awarded around $13 billion worth of contracts since 2020.
"I'm pretty sure Tesla isn't getting $400M. No one mentioned it to me, at least," Musk said on X, the social media platform he owns.
(Excerpt) Read more at msn.com ...
The idea originated under former President Joe Biden’s administration, MSNBC reported
They are so desperate even PMSNBC must now report the truth
This is all a bit ironic when reports by NPR found a Request for Information (RFI) document (something that the Government does when seeking information from companies to gather market research and identify potential vendors who can meet their requirements) about possibly purchasing $400 million worth of armored Tesla vehicles or, Tesla CyberTrucks, for what and for whom?
The document seeks a secure transportation solution for government personnel, public officials, and dignitaries who require protection from potential threats while traveling abroad. That makes sense, considering Musk has pitched these things bullet and fireproof...though there was that one incident with the window shattering when an assistant threw a metal ball at it.
400 million. LOL contract was done under Biden.
They blow up, catch on fire by themselves, they’re not cost effective isn’t good enough for you...???
This idea was originated during the Biden Administration and cancelled during the trump Administration.
well i suggest that they subpoena biden then
Suddenly conflicts of interest are concerning?
Little Dick Bluminidiot is having flashbacks to ‘Nam. Just saw the clip on FNC of the IdiRATS doing the Beetlejuice Conga Line on the floor in Congress. What the hell was that all about? Congress is going to have to hire some shrinks to keep on duty 24/7.
A full size pickup truck with dual fuel tanks could just chase them until their battery dies and then take their sweet time with a generator and electric tools. Step 1) big hole saw in the roof and drop a flash bang in there.
LOL LOL stupid ass commies, that deal was done under BIDEN, NOT Trump
Sen. Richard Blumenthal, disgraced stolen valor parasite
Democrats attacking a contract drawn up by their Democrat administration. Another winning strategy from the clown car party...
They’re getting it to deliver grub to your starving African kids, azhos.
Musk should just offer to give the cybertrucks to the military for testing and evaluation.
Or he should cancel the contract imo
MSLSD’s Madcow blamed it on Trump, and they thought they had a gotcha. They are getting more pathetic as each day passes.
Thank you. That was my assumption when I heard about it. Continuing to spend billions subsidizing spontaneous combustion short range vehicles no one but rich virtue signaling Democrats want or can afford just didn’t seem like something Trump would initiate.
Agreed. I can see only a very few use cases for a military EV (maybe a few stealth missions, since they are very quiet). By and large, EV’s are a bad idea for the military.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.