The State Department had been in talks with Elon Musk’s Tesla company to buy armored electric vehicles, but the plans have been put on hold by the Trump administration after reports emerged about a potential $400 million purchase.

The State Department updated its 2025 procurement forecast after the line item was publicly questioned about potential conflict of interest.

Is billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, the face of President Donald Trump’s effort to slash federal spending, really in line to receive a $400 million purchase order of armored Tesla vehicles from the State Department?

Jon Haber, a strategic communication consultant who has worked with five presidential campaigns and teaches at Harvard, said Musk's children making frequent appearances - and creating viral moments - is beneficial for Trump.