This hebdomad ’s Twitter hoo-ha is all about public funding . Elon Musk settle tolabel National Public Radio ’s accountfirst as “ politics - work medium , ” which it previously applied to state - operate medium outlets that shade into propaganda . later on , the recording label was change to “ government - fund medium . ”
NPR , which keep that its editorial content is independent and has a account of running storiescritical of the US government , decided toleave the platformrather than swallow either new label .
While NPR does get government backing through Duncan Grant , it says that money represents less than 1 % of the non-profit-making ’s tax revenue . In 2022 , NPR reported $ 309 million in revenue ; it noted an $ 80,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts , while its member stations may receive regime funding that contribute to their permit requital .
Back when government funding was cool: President Barack Obama and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk touring Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in April 2010.Photo: NASA/Bill Ingalls
Critics quickly pointed out that two of Musk ’s most successful companies , SpaceX and Tesla , are also government funded , and indeed receive much more money as a portion of taxation and an absolute act .
SpaceX’s ties to the US government
SpaceX is , after all , primarily a authorities contractor , rack up $ 15.3 billion in awarded contracts since 2003 , according to US government records . Its most of import businesses are launch astronauts and scientific military mission for NASA , and flying satellites for the US military .
Musk may pettifog that payments for good and service are n’t government subsidy but he owes the existence of the company to NASA . If the US space agency had n’t back the rocket - maker with a critical contract bridge in 2008 , the companylikely would have failed .
Moreover , SpaceX ’s business framework has been working with NASA to break space vehicles like the Falcon 9 and Dragon that it can then extend to private customer . These public - private partnerships have pull through money for the government while helping to create a surge in individual space action ; they are n’t the solvent of an entrepreneur act alone . Meanwhile , SpaceX sought and is still seeking$885 million in government fundingto support broadband access in rural communities .
Tesla has been supported by government subsidies
Tesla , on the other hand , has actually benefit from a number of unlimited subsidies created by the US politics to encourage the development of electric vehicles to shorten carbon expelling . Notably , the motorcar company meet a$465 million preferential loanfrom the US Department of Energy in 2010 , which it make up off in 2013 .
Through 2020 , the troupe benefited importantly from tax reference give to consumer who buy electrical cars , which have contract the cost of Tesla vehicles by $ 4,000 to $ 7,500 . One attempt totrack all these subsidies , including state and local incentive to support manufacturing facilities , estimates the total benefits at nearly $ 3 billion .
Why is Musk going after NPR?
It ’s strange that Musk is making such a big deal about NPR ’s political science funding , especially when Tesla isworking to take advantageof the newest set of EV tax credits passed as part of the Inflation Reduction Act by cut price and ensuring its batteries are made in the US .
At an early stage inhis political evolution , Musk was often criticized by the right — notably 2012 Republican presidential prospect Mitt Romney — foraccepting subsidies at Tesla . SpaceX ’s rival defense contractors , meanwhile , launched a lobbying campaigncriticizing the company ’s NASA partnership as a kind of gentle putridness . Despite these experiences , Musk has never been shy about suggesting that competitors benefit from overly generous government support ( sometimeswith undecomposed ground . )
Musk ’s critique of NPR seems mostly designed to repel agita and involution on his societal media program , but we might also debate it a teachable moment . In the forward-looking economy , it ’s rare that any successful enterprise succeeds without government support , whether that ’s direct financial support , basic R&D , or effective ordinance .
require to screw more about Elon Musk ’s blank space venture ? tally out our full coverage ofSpaceX ’s Starship megarocketand theSpaceX Starlink internet planet megaconstellation . And for more spaceflight in your life , travel along us onTwitterand bookmark Gizmodo ’s dedicatedSpaceflight page .
Daily Newsletter
Get the practiced technical school , science , and refinement word in your inbox daily .
News from the future tense , deliver to your present .
You May Also Like
