US State Department plans to buy armoured Tesla vehicles

The US State Department intends to allocate $400 million in 2025 for the purchase of armoured Tesla vehicles. This is reported by The New York Times.

The draft government procurement does not specify which model is in question, but the publication suggests that preference may be given to the electric Cybertruck pickup. This vehicle stands out for its high-strength stainless steel body, making it suitable for armoring.

The deal may raise questions about a potential conflict of interest. The NYT recalls that Elon Musk spent over $250 million last year supporting Donald Trump's election campaign. Following this, Trump appointed him to lead the initiative to reduce government spending, known as the "Department of Government Efficiency".

The publication's requests for comments from Tesla and the State Department went unanswered. Meanwhile, Tesla has firmly established itself on the list of major government contractors: Musk's companies have received federal contracts worth $13 billion over the past five years.