In 2010, Elon Musk's Tesla received a $465 million loan from the Department of Energy to promote clean energy. By 2013, Tesla had fully repaid the loan with interest and a prepayment penalty, nine years ahead of schedule. Musk expressed gratitude in a note to the Department of Energy and Congress for their support. Currently, Musk is associated with budget cuts and potentially reducing his government involvement, marking a shift from borrower to fiscal conservator.
2025