State Dept Halts Tesla Contract Amid Scrutiny

The U.S. State Department's plan to purchase $400 million worth of armored electric vehicles from Tesla has been put on hold amidst scrutiny and potential conflict-of-interest concerns, given Elon Musk's advisory role in the Trump administration. The procurement forecast initially mentioned Tesla but was later revised to a generic 'electric vehicle manufacturer,' and the deal was initially proposed during Joe Biden's presidency with Tesla as the sole interested party, but no contract had been finalized. This situation highlights the significant federal funding Musk's companies have historically received, raising questions about their reliance on taxpayer money. Additionally, Tesla is facing inventory issues with its Cybertruck, leading to significant discounts to clear stock, especially for the 2024 model year, which isn't eligible for the $7,500 federal tax credit available to the 2025 model. Meanwhile, public sentiment towards Musk appears to be shifting, as evidenced by a Quebec man's decision to sell his Teslas due to Musk's political alignment with Trump.