Sen. Richard Blumenthal demanding answers about possible $400 million State Department purchase of Tesla Cybertrucks

[Passages]

By Kris Van Cleave

February 14, 2025 / 8:00 AM EST / CBS News


Sen. Richard Blumenthal, the ranking member on the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio Thursday night demanding answers and documents relating to the State Department's possible purchase of $400 million worth of armored Tesla Cybertrucks from the company run by Elon Musk.

"Mr. Musk's dual roles pose conflicts of interest so obvious that they hardly require explanation," the Connecticut Democrat wrote in the letter obtained by CBS News. "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.

"In the 15 months since it was released, the Cybertruck has been widely derided and subject to at least six separate recalls. Indeed, Tesla has reportedly had "disastrous" sales numbers for the Cybertruck. It hardly seems like the type of reliable vehicle the State Department would choose for this contract absent a heavy thumb on the scale."

Blumenthal asked for a response by Feb 21. Last week, he opened a preliminary inquiry into Musk and his companies.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/richard-blumenthal-state-department-tesla-cybertrucks/?ftag=CNM-00-10aab8d&linkId=747647281

[somsai]

1. Nothing burger

A simple google search, shows they aren't buying any Teslas, maybe Blumenthal doesn't have a computer.

The idea to buy electric armored trucks originated during the Biden admin. Musk was the only response, before Trump became president the decision was made to go forward. I'd think all large purchases are in limbo, and 400 million $ is large.

Up armoring strong enough for small arms weighs a ton, that stuff isn't lightweight. For IEDs also and they might as well look for a new vehicle.

Noise.

[Passages]

2. It was not noise. He had every reason to look into it...the plan was considered re: purchases.

The State Department said Thursday it is abandoning plans of purchasing $400 million worth of armored Tesla vehicles after a public document detailing federal contracts for fiscal year 2025 gained wide attention.

That expected purchase of Teslas, which was slated for September of this year, is now on hold, according to the State Department, which now says it has no plans of fulfilling the contract. NPR’s original video on the contract can be found on our Instagram page.

The potential federal purchase drew scrutiny since Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk is also a top White House official who has been leading the Department of Government Efficiency, a unit focused on shrinking the federal workforce and ferreting out corruption.

[MichMan]

3. Another Biden administration contract cancelled just like that

Not seeing much outrage

[Passages]

4. Yep. Not all Dems supported every Biden contract.

[dalton99a]

5. The South African Nazi parasite has so much to hide