Agreed. If I started a potential billion dollar company that was about to go under and bankrupt me, would I take money? And what if it's from someone I don't fully understand? I just know he has "humanitarian" programs? And the things he's asking in return aren't evil?

If he doesn't really know who Soros is, or what he wants, then taking his money may have just been a "in a time of desperation" thing. Remember, this happened at a low moment, not prior (meaning Soros and Musk talked about this joint venture, and working together bsincr the beginning), or during a high point (where Soros realizes the programs potential, and wants in). Could just be a bail out at the time before musk saw the strings attached.