Tesla and SpaceX reportedly received $18 billion in government funds throughout the past 10 years.
AUSTIN, Texas — Since President Donald Trump re-entered the White House last month, his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has actively sought out ways to reduce government spending, in part with the help of Austin resident and billionaire Elon Musk.
Two of Musk’s companies -Tesla and SpaceX- received billions in funding from the government over the past 10 years, despite now attempting to limit American spending, data shows. In total, the businessman’s companies have reportedly been given $18 billion.
Headquartered in Austin, Tesla has created over $95 billion in revenue since its start in 2003 . Meanwhile, SpaceX was reportedly valued at $350 billion as of late last year.
While Musks’ businesses have benefitted from government funds, Trump this week issued a deadline on buyouts offered to millions of federal employees. This came after a recent ruling from a federal judge, which lifted a previous halt on the buyouts.
Amid these changes, thousands of workers have also been laid off, including those employed by agencies like the General Services Administration, Small Business Administration and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Those employed for a year or less are particularly affected.
As Tesla CEO, Musk also recently denied claims stating the U.S. State Department had plans to purchase millions worth of armored Cybertrucks.
“I’m pretty sure Tesla isn’t getting $400 million,” Musk posted on X. “No one mentioned it to me at least.”
Musk has brought several of his business ventures to Texas in recent years, including SpaceX, with its launch site located in the southern part of the state.
Soon, residents in Cameron County, Texas, will vote to determine whether the company’s launch site will become a city called “Starbase.”
