If you look around, basically every company Elon took over or started relies heavily on government handouts (or at least did during the primary r&d phase)
Those handouts were intentional incentives to invent tech the government saw a need for.
Regrettably for the government (and society), the guy who ended up taking advantage of those incentives the most ended up being a complete nitwit. So, we're kind of stuck with him until the government actually grows a pair and gives the SEC actual teeth, but too many nitwits are influential and would also be hurt by an SEC that does more than slap them on the wrist, so it's never going to happen
Those handouts were intentional incentives to invent tech the government saw a need for.
Regrettably for the government (and society), the guy who ended up taking advantage of those incentives the most ended up being a complete nitwit. So, we're kind of stuck with him until the government actually grows a pair and gives the SEC actual teeth, but too many nitwits are influential and would also be hurt by an SEC that does more than slap them on the wrist, so it's never going to happen
/Rant /personal opionions