Elon Musk’s DOGE partner Vivek Ramaswamy says they’ll scrutinize $6.6 billion Biden loan to Tesla rival Rivian

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Donald Trump’s designated government efficiency co-czar, Vivek Ramaswamy, signaled his intention to scrutinize a loan granted by the Biden administration to EV manufacturer Rivian, a rival of Tesla .

Ramaswamy, the founder of several biotech firms collectively known as the “ Vants ,” is due to take charge of the quasi-official Department of Government Efficiency , or DOGE, once Trump is sworn in. Together with DOGE co-leader Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, their task is to radically reduce the size of the U.S. government by slashing regulations, sacking federal employees and eliminating waste in the system with a goal of lopping $2 trillion from the budget .

They have already pointed to spending earmarked for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and Planned Parenthood, two organizations long targeted by Republicans, as a starting point for cuts. This could now extend to Rivian as well.

“Biden is forking over $6.6 billion to EV-maker Rivian to build a Georgia plant they’ve already halted,” he posted on Thursday. “One ‘justification’ is the 7,500 jobs it creates, but that implies a cost of $880k/job, which is insane. This smells more like a political shot across the bow at Elon Musk and Tesla.”

The loan would go to financing the construction of Rivian’s second factory, where it is expected to eventually build the R2 family of mid-size Rivians, positioned below the electric R1T pickup truck and R1S sport utility vehicle. In March, Rivian founder and CEO RJ Scaringe delayed construction to conserve cash.

There are reasons this loan could be viewed as political in nature. Helping build a financially ailing Tesla rival into a serious EV competitor would weaken Musk, who played a key role in evicting the Democrats from all branches of government this month. Indeed the Democratic governor of California conspicuously snubbed Tesla from a new state plan to extend EV subsidies to car buyers.

Musk’s Tesla an early recipient of federal loans—paid back in full early and with interest

Fortune has reached out to Rivian and the Trump transition team for comment. Asked about the criticism levelled at the loan, the Department of Energy issued the following statement:

“DOE’s Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing program reinforces America’s position as a global automotive powerhouse, with one of the … Read More