Sen. Richard Blumenthal is demanding answers from the U.S. State Department regarding a potential $400 million purchase of armored Tesla Cybertrucks—a deal that could significantly benefit Elon Musk’s expanding business empire while raising serious conflict-of-interest concerns.
Blumenthal, the ranking member of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, sent a strongly worded letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday night. In the letter, he called for full transparency on the reported contract, which could see Tesla supply armored electric trucks for diplomatic security and government operations.
The senator has demanded documents and a detailed explanation of how Tesla secured the potential contract, questioning whether Musk’s deep ties to the government played a role in influencing the decision.
In the letter, which was obtained by CBS News, Blumenthal did not hold back in his criticism of Musk’s expanding influence in government. He pointed to Tesla’s reliability issues and the controversial nature of Musk’s role in government affairs.
“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.”
Blumenthal specifically highlighted concerns about the Cybertruck itself, arguing that the vehicle’s track record makes it an unlikely choice for a high-stakes government contract.
Since its release 15 months ago, the Cybertruck has faced at least six recalls, with widespread criticism about its design, build quality, and safety features. Reports indicate that Tesla’s sales for the Cybertruck have been underwhelming, further raising questions about why the State Department would choose this vehicle over more established, battle-tested options.
“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 added.
The senator has given the State Department until February 21 to provide a response.
This demand for transparency comes just one week after Blumenthal launched a preliminary investigation into Musk and his companies.
Musk, who is the CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and X (formerly Twitter), holds massive government contracts across various sectors, including military, space exploration, transportation, and now diplomatic security.
Additionally, Musk played a significant role in former President Donald Trump’s re-election campaign, making him a key figure in both business and politics.
Blumenthal’s inquiry also raises concerns about Musk’s latest government involvement—his leadership of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
While DOGE is not an official government agency, it has been aggressively auditing federal departments in an attempt to eliminate what Musk calls “waste, fraud, and abuse.”
Musk’s team has reportedly accessed sensitive computer systems across multiple government agencies, leading to numerous lawsuits challenging his authority to conduct such investigations.
With Musk’s influence growing in Washington, critics argue that his access to federal resources, contracts, and decision-making power may be crossing ethical lines.
Tesla’s bid for a high-profile State Department contract has also drawn comparisons to General Motors Defense (GM Defense), which secured a 10-year, $300 million deal in November 2023.
GM Defense has developed the Suburban Shield, an armored SUV designed for diplomatic and security missions. The vehicle is already being rolled out for use by the State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) and other federal agencies.
Critics argue that Tesla’s Cybertruck, which is unproven in diplomatic security settings, should not be prioritized over GM’s battle-tested vehicles.
With billions of dollars in federal contracts at stake, the push to include Cybertrucks in the State Department’s security fleet is raising alarms among lawmakers.
If Blumenthal’s concerns hold weight, this deal could spark a major political and legal battle over Musk’s influence, transparency in government contracts, and the ethical boundaries of public-private partnerships.
As the February 21 deadline approaches, all eyes will be on Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the Biden administration to see how they respond to Blumenthal’s request for transparency.
Meanwhile, the broader debate over Musk’s government involvement is far from over. With his hands in space, defense, social media, and now diplomatic security, Musk remains one of the most powerful and controversial figures in Washington today.
Expect further scrutiny, investigations, and potential legal challenges in the weeks ahead.
