Tesla

SpaceX and xAI Purchase Thousands of Unsold Cybertrucks Before Tax Credit Deadline

| Importance: 7/10

Just before the September 30, 2025 deadline for locking in orders with unrefundable deposits to qualify for Q4 EV tax credits, Elon Musk’s companies SpaceX and xAI ordered thousands of Tesla Cybertrucks, effectively bailing out Tesla’s struggling electric pickup sales. Through the first …

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Tesla Launches FSD V14 with Musk Claiming System 'Feels Sentient'

| Importance: 7/10

On September 25, 2025, Elon Musk announced that Tesla’s Full Self-Driving Supervised (FSD) v14 would enter ’early wide release’ the following week, marking the first major update to the driver assistance system in a year. Musk made extraordinary claims that by version 14.2, the …

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State Department plans $400 million payment to Tesla after regulatory firings

| Importance: 9/10

The State Department announced plans to pay Tesla $400 million for unspecified services, coming weeks after Trump systematically fired federal officials investigating Elon Musk’s companies. The payment followed the removal of FDA staffers reviewing Neuralink, EEOC leaders investigating Tesla …

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Trump turns the White House lawn into a Tesla showroom

| Importance: 7/10

President Trump turned the White House South Lawn into a Tesla showroom, personally endorsing the company and Elon Musk amid declining stock values. The event raised substantial ethical concerns about presidential influence and corporate favoritism, with Trump displaying five Tesla vehicles and …

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FAA approves 4,000 Starlink terminals worth $400 million

| Importance: 8/10

FAA approves 4,000 Starlink terminals worth $400 million despite existing contract with another company, while State Department announces $400 million Tesla Cybertruck contract and Commerce changes broadband requirements favoring Starlink.

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DOJ drops immigration discrimination case against SpaceX

| Importance: 8/10

Department of Justice formally dropped immigration discrimination lawsuit against SpaceX alleging the company “routinely discouraged asylees and refugees from applying” for jobs. The dismissal with prejudice came as part of broader regulatory relief for Musk’s companies under Trump …

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State Department Plans $400 Million Purchase of Tesla Cybertrucks

| Importance: 8/10

State Department procurement documents showed plans for a 400 million purchase of armored Tesla vehicles, dramatically expanding a smaller Biden-era EV plan. After media scrutiny, the State Department removed Tesla from documents and claimed the purchase was on hold with no plans to proceed.

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Musk companies received $38 billion in government support over 20 years

| Importance: 6/10

Elon Musk’s companies have received $38 billion in total government support over 20 years including $18 billion in federal contracts over past decade, while Musk co-directs Department of Government Efficiency with authority over federal spending.

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Tesla Begins Purchasing Russian Aluminum from Rusal

| Importance: 7/10

Tesla began sourcing aluminum from Rusal, a Russian metals company founded by oligarch Oleg Deripaska, in late 2020 for its German Giga Berlin manufacturing plant. The procurement occurred after US sanctions against Rusal were lifted in 2019, with Tesla purchasing millions of euros worth of aluminum …

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