I don't believe that is correct. As I understand it, the US did distribute direct development support funds to several pharmas. Ironically, Pfizer, who was first to market, did not take any US development funds, but was the recipient of a US gov purchase guarantee. Moderna did get $1.5 billion and their vaccine may actually be the best of the bunch so far. Then again, 3.5 billion went to Novovax and Sanofi for efforts that haven't produced an approved candidate yet - but both do have products still in trial.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Warp_Speed