By Don Terry | Wednesday, February 26, 2025 | 3 min read
Elon Musk loves making big statements. One of his biggest ones is that the new Cybertruck made of stainless steel is bulletproof. But hold on, bulletproof against what? When it was tested, the results weren’t quite amazing. It handled some smaller bullets okay, but when faced with stronger ammo? Not really great.
Before any big deals happen, maybe the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—which Musk runs—should take another look. They might want to see just how strong this truck really is. It wouldn’t be the first time things didn’t turn out as promised. Remember the Cybertruck reveal? Musk said the windows were shatterproof, but they cracked not once, but twice on stage. If that event showed us anything, it’s that a little more checking isn’t such a bad idea.
Meanwhile, the State Department was working with Tesla on buying armored electric vehicles. Some reports said a huge $400 million deal was on the line. But the Trump administration has put those plans on hold.
How Did We Get Here?
The State Department said Tesla was the only company interested in providing these armored vehicles in May 2024, during Joe Biden’s presidency. Then, it looked like this deal could be the biggest federal contract that year. Tesla seemed set to be a key supplier for the government’s electric vehicle needs. This deal would have made Musk’s ties to the federal government even stronger. His companies already get a lot of government contracts. SpaceX has received close to $20 billion since 2008 for NASA projects. Tesla also got $41.9 million for providing electric vehicles to U.S. embassies.
Since the Trump administration took over, the Tesla deal has been paused. It’s not clear why, but the timing seems odd. Trump has acted as an unofficial political advisor to Musk and often criticizes government spending. His focus on cutting back may have affected this purchase. Another issue is the ongoing debate about Musk’s political views. He has flipped between liberal and conservative ideas. His support for right-wing figures, like Germany’s AfD, has made some people question if his politics have caused the delays.
For Musk, this deal would mean a big financial boost, with Tesla gaining hundreds of millions from the government. This is not new for Musk’s companies, but a deal this big would get a lot of attention and strengthen his influence. The money for this deal would come from taxpayers, something Musk has relied on to fund SpaceX, Tesla, and more. But with questions about the Cybertruck’s bulletproof claims, it’s unclear if this deal will move forward anytime soon. If Tesla’s vehicles can’t meet their basic promises, will the U.S. really rely on them for security?
So, what happens to the $400 million deal with the State Department? It’s tough to say. For now, the pause from the Trump administration leaves us in a wait-and-see mode. Even though Musk’s companies are heavily involved in government contracts, this deal could face challenges due to the Cybertruck’s issues and Musk’s mixed political views. While the Cybertruck might still become a great electric vehicle, it may not be the safe choice the State Department needs. Before signing any contracts, DOGE should make sure taxpayers aren’t paying for something that might not be as tough as advertised. When it comes to government spending and security, it’s important to get full value for the money.
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