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White House Reviews SpaceX Contracts Amid Trump-Musk Feud

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The White House has directed the Defense Department and NASA to review billions of dollars worth of contracts held by SpaceX following a public conflict between President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, sources told Reuters. This review aims to prepare the administration for potential retaliatory actions against Musk’s companies.

Pentagon officials are also weighing whether to reduce SpaceX’s involvement in a new U.S. missile defense system. Currently, SpaceX holds roughly $22 billion in federal contracts, but it is unclear if any cancellations are imminent.

The review stems from Trump’s recent threat to terminate business and subsidies for Musk ventures during their spat. When asked about Musk’s contracts, a White House spokesperson cited a commitment to a rigorous review process for all bids and contracts. NASA confirmed it will continue working with industry partners to meet presidential space objectives.

Sources describe the contract scrutiny as a political move intended to give the administration flexibility should Trump decide to act. Musk, who formerly served as a senior advisor to Trump and led the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has been at odds with the president after publicly calling for his impeachment and linking him to a convicted sex offender.

Experts warn that politicizing such contracts risks undermining national security and public interest. Scott Amey, from the Project on Government Oversight, noted the irony of Musk’s contracts undergoing political scrutiny similar to what his DOGE team imposed on others. He emphasized that contract decisions should prioritize public and security interests over personal disputes.

SpaceX plays a vital role in U.S. aerospace and defense, launching satellites and cargo, and managing NASA’s Dragon spacecraft—the sole U.S. vehicle currently capable of ferrying astronauts to the International Space Station. The company also builds a classified network of spy satellites for the National Reconnaissance Office, strengthening its ties with U.S. defense and intelligence agencies.

Despite recent tensions, SpaceX remains a critical partner to the government, highlighting the complex balance between politics and strategic partnerships in national security.

Elon Musk’s Tesla Prepares for Robotaxi Launch in Austin, Testing Vision Amid Regulatory Concerns

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Tesla is set to launch its much-anticipated self-driving “robotaxi” service in Austin, Texas, later this month, marking a critical test for CEO Elon Musk’s vision of the company’s future. Between 10 and 20 Model Y vehicles will begin operating “tentatively” on June 22, using a new version of Tesla’s software that Musk claims runs on “unmodified Tesla cars.”

The launch comes after years of Musk’s promises for autonomous vehicles, as Tesla pivots from focusing primarily on electric vehicle sales to the potentially transformative robotaxi and humanoid robot markets. However, Tesla is currently battling a global sales slowdown due to an aging vehicle lineup and backlash linked to Musk’s political activities.

Austin’s unique regulatory environment poses additional challenges. The Texas legislature’s 2017 law bans local autonomous vehicle regulations to promote industry growth statewide. This hands-off approach has raised safety concerns among Austin public-safety officials, especially after autonomous vehicles from companies like Waymo and Cruise have struggled with complex traffic situations involving police signals and barriers.

To address emerging risks, Texas lawmakers recently passed a bill requiring autonomous vehicle companies to obtain state authorization and allowing authorities to revoke permits if vehicles endanger the public. However, the timing of this new system’s implementation remains uncertain.

Despite mounting questions, Tesla has shared limited details about the robotaxi service’s technology, passenger policies, pricing, and operating areas. Musk has indicated the vehicles will initially operate in carefully geofenced, “safe” parts of Austin, with company staff remotely monitoring operations. Videos surfaced on social media show Tesla Model Ys driving without anyone behind the wheel, indicating active testing.

Federal regulators have expressed safety concerns and requested detailed information from Tesla regarding the rollout, including safety features, emergency preparations, and deployment timelines. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) continues to investigate Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) system following a fatal crash in 2023.

Safety experts remain cautious, noting the lack of clarity around Tesla’s robotaxi capabilities and readiness for a large-scale launch. Carnegie Mellon University’s autonomous-vehicle safety expert Phil Koopman described Musk’s statements as “ambiguous” and questioned whether Tesla can swiftly scale its robotaxi service nationwide.

Austin city officials say they have engaged with Tesla on deployment plans but have not publicly detailed the company’s operations. The Texas attorney general is also reviewing communications between Tesla and Austin city officials, amid concerns Tesla has resisted transparency citing trade secret protections.

Tesla’s robotaxi debut in Austin will not only test the company’s technology but also the regulatory framework and public acceptance of autonomous vehicles in one of the nation’s most hands-off states.

Tesla Aims to Launch Public Robotaxi Rides on June 22, CEO Musk Announces

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Tesla plans to begin offering public rides on its self-driving robotaxis starting June 22, CEO Elon Musk said Tuesday, marking a significant milestone in the company’s autonomous vehicle ambitions. The initial rollout will take place in Austin, Texas, with about 10 to 20 Model Y SUVs operating within a limited area under remote human supervision.

Musk emphasized Tesla’s cautious approach to safety, noting that the date might change as the company remains “super paranoid about safety.” He also revealed that starting June 28, Tesla vehicles will be able to autonomously drive themselves from the factory to customers’ homes.

This robotaxi service is critical for Tesla’s future as electric vehicle sales face increasing competition and controversies surrounding Musk, particularly his political views and associations. The company intends to expand the robotaxi service to other states later in the year, including California, which has more stringent autonomous vehicle regulations.

Tesla has been testing its Full Self-Driving (FSD) software in Austin, with Musk sharing videos showing Model Y vehicles navigating public streets without a human driver. However, details remain scarce about the exact operational zones, the level of remote oversight, or how consumers will access the service.