Trump / Musk (other than DOGE)

[BlooVooDoo]

State Dept. Plans $400 Million Purchase of Armored Tesla Cybertrucks​

The department plans to buy armored Tesla vehicles. Elon Musk, who is leading efforts to cut government spending, has won more than $13 billion in government contracts in the past five years.

State Dept. Plans $400 Million Purchase of Armored Tesla Cybertrucks

The department plans to buy armored Tesla vehicles. Elon Musk, who is leading efforts to cut government spending, has won more than $13 billion in government contracts in the past five years.

www.nytimes.com

“… The purchase of Cybertrucks, an atypical choice for government armored transport, is likely to raise conflict of interest issues, especially as Mr. Musk trumpets his own efforts to root out what he regards as unnecessary spending.

…
Mr. Musk is already a major government contractor. Companies he owns or controls have secured $13 billion in federal contracts over the past five years. SpaceX, the rocket company he founded, collects most of that money and is one of the biggest government contractors.

The State Department procurement forecast was published in December, after Mr. Trump won the election but before he took office. Plans to purchase Cybertrucks were reported earlier on Wednesday by Drop Site News.

Sales of the Cybertruck have been modest since its introduction in late 2023. Tesla sold 39,000 last year, according to estimates by Cox Automotive. With a starting price of $80,000, the vehicle is too expensive for many buyers. …”

Some Teslas are reasonable options for EVs. The Cybertruck is well known as garbage and makes absolutely no sense as a VIP transport vehicle. Even the 3 motor version can only carry 2500 pounds and has a real world range of around 200 miles. Throw 1200 pounds of armor on that and it will barely have the capacity to transport 4 guys and some gear 150 miles before needing to spend an hour or two charging the battery.

 

[nycfan]

This is so absurd. A real, proper audit could have been a real benefit. This is a farce.

 

[finesse]

Some Teslas are reasonable options for EVs. The Cybertruck is well known as garbage and makes absolutely no sense as a VIP transport vehicle. Even the 3 motor version can only carry 2500 pounds and has a real world range of around 200 miles. Throw 1200 pounds of armor on that and it will barely have the capacity to transport 4 guys and some gear 150 miles before needing to spend an hour or two charging the battery.

Does that 400 million include charging stations? If it doesn't, it's really stupid since Trump is trying to hinder the further development of anything EV except what Musk tells him to do.

 

[nycfan]

 

[altmin]

State Dept. Plans $400 Million Purchase of Armored Tesla Cybertrucks​

The department plans to buy armored Tesla vehicles. Elon Musk, who is leading efforts to cut government spending, has won more than $13 billion in government contracts in the past five years.

State Dept. Plans $400 Million Purchase of Armored Tesla Cybertrucks

The department plans to buy armored Tesla vehicles. Elon Musk, who is leading efforts to cut government spending, has won more than $13 billion in government contracts in the past five years.

www.nytimes.com

“… The purchase of Cybertrucks, an atypical choice for government armored transport, is likely to raise conflict of interest issues, especially as Mr. Musk trumpets his own efforts to root out what he regards as unnecessary spending.

…
Mr. Musk is already a major government contractor. Companies he owns or controls have secured $13 billion in federal contracts over the past five years. SpaceX, the rocket company he founded, collects most of that money and is one of the biggest government contractors.

The State Department procurement forecast was published in December, after Mr. Trump won the election but before he took office. Plans to purchase Cybertrucks were reported earlier on Wednesday by Drop Site News.

Sales of the Cybertruck have been modest since its introduction in late 2023. Tesla sold 39,000 last year, according to estimates by Cox Automotive. With a starting price of $80,000, the vehicle is too expensive for many buyers. …”

Armored trucks that can't tolerate salt water without turning into lithium pires.

 

[tallheel95]

Mitch McConnell can EAD. I put SO much blame on his shoulders for our current situation.

 

[altmin]

Mitch trying to save his soul when he could have stopped all of this years ago and cracked the whip for impeachment.

hope you enjoy hell buddy

 

[MOUNTAINH33L]

Trump has stocked his cabinet with some of the worst people possible. It's indefensible. Truly horrible horrible people. We are living in the dumbest timeline.

 

[aGDevil2k]

I really hope RFK goes after food quality. It's something I would love but OMG would the MAGAs lose their damn minds when they realize what on earth it means to get rid of processed crap.

 

[Healing]

Reek just over there reeking in front of a three year old sociopath.

 

[Mulberry Heel]

I really hope RFK goes after food quality. It's something I would love but OMG would the MAGAs lose their damn minds when they realize what on earth it means to get rid of processed crap.

I actually think RFK, Jr. will be the first to go - or be dumped - in Trump 2.0. He's one of the most expendable Trumpers, and I think once he goes after vaccines and MAGA Nation realizes what he's planning to do to their favorite snack foods he'll be out. "Banning the polio vaccine was alright, but when he went after my damn Doritos that was too far!"

 

[Icky Mettle]

Trump has stocked his cabinet with some of the worst people possible. It's indefensible. Truly horrible horrible people. We are living in the dumbest timeline.

What Trump is doing by nominating these people is bad enough, but the fact that the Pubs in the Senate who could stop this from happening are letting it happen— even though nearly all of them know better— is beyond morally reprehensible.

 

[Healing]

I actually think RFK, Jr. will be the first to go - or be dumped - in Trump 2.0. He's one of the most expendable Trumpers, and I think once he goes after vaccines and MAGA Nation realizes what he's planning to do to their favorite snack foods he'll be out. "Banning the polio vaccine was alright, but when he went after my damn Doritos that was too far!"

I doubt he'll be permitted to go after potentially sensitive culture war matters like junk foods. don already supplicated RFKjr, as indicated by the ridiculous McDonald's photo.

 

[Geisterfahrer]

It is ironic that Mitch— once the ringleader of Republican obstructionism— is now the only Pub voting along with Dems to prevent insanely unqualified cabinet nominees from landing the positions for which they are nominated. To whatever extent he’s grown a conscience, it’s too late now Mitch. You fucked us. Over and over.

He deserves to live a few years physically and mentally debilitated.

 

[Geisterfahrer]

It's not like the government is simply offering charity to Musk. His companies make quality products and this benefits the US. I mean, SpaceX is spearheading this country's space program and is needed to rescue to stranded NASA astronauts. Starlink is providing assistance to folks in WNC, Ukraine and in rural areas.

I have no issue with a third party reviewing the Cybertruck contract (or other Musk contracts) to determine if it is worth the money the US is paying.

Those trucks are hot garbage.

 

[korgguy1971]

He deserves to live a few years physically and mentally debilitated.

Yeah. Like next time he has one of his RealPlayer "buffering...." moments, he can just stay that way.

 

[dukeman92]

If a Democrat were dismantling state departments, citing wasteful spending, while simultaneously selling the government multimillion dollar contracts of whatever grift their company was hocking, Ramrouser and other trumplicans would be losing their collective minds.

 

[CFordUNC]

Damn, it’s not even tongue in cheek anymore. This dude Musk literally is the president of the United States, isn’t he?

 

[Geisterfahrer]

Damn, it’s not even tongue in cheek anymore. This dude Musk literally is the president of the United States, isn’t he?

Unreal. We’re watching this coup in real time.

 

[CFordUNC]

Cannot believe an unelected South African is conducting official United States federal government business and negotiating with a foreign head of state.