The U.S. Department of State is set to allocate $400 million for the acquisition of new armored Tesla vehicles, despite CEO Elon Musk spearheading initiatives to reduce government expenditures under former President Donald Trump.

According to a procurement forecast released by the department, this substantial investment is earmarked for “armored Tesla production units.” These vehicles are expected to be Cybertrucks, Tesla’s latest electric pickup model, which Musk has touted as bulletproof.

This announcement raises potential concerns about conflicts of interest for Musk, who significantly profits from U.S. government contracts through his various enterprises.

Musk’s ownership stake in Tesla represents a major portion of his estimated $383 billion fortune, though his rocket company, SpaceX, serves as a vital contractor for U.S. government space launch services.

In a unique twist, Trump appointed Musk to oversee the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, or “Doge,” inspired by a popular internet meme featuring a Shiba Inu. Musk has pursued aggressive cuts to governmental departments, alleging—though without concrete evidence—that they are rife with fraud and inefficiency. His actions have sparked significant criticism, with many experts claiming they violate legal standards and undermine the U.S. Constitution.

Documentation from the State Department indicates that the Tesla contract is anticipated to be awarded by the end of September.

The department’s website features two versions of the procurement forecast. The first version, recorded on December 13, 2024, explicitly mentioned the planned Tesla acquisition. This date was notable as it occurred shortly after Trump’s election, but prior to his official inauguration.

Conversely, a second version indicated that the reference to “Tesla” was removed in a subsequent update, instead referring generically to “armored electric vehicles” without specifying any brand.

Armored vehicles are a common procurement for the U.S. government. The same forecast document included requests for an “armored sedan” and other unnamed manufacturers’ “armored EVs” alongside contracts for “armored BMW X5/X7” models, totaling $50 million, $40 million, and $40 million respectively.

Both Tesla and the U.S. Department of State have been contacted for comment regarding these developments.