Washington, D.C., Oct. 26, 2024 — NASA Administrator Bill Nelson has called for an investigation into allegations that SpaceX founder Elon Musk has been in consistent contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin since late 2022, a report that has raised significant national security concerns. According to a Wall Street Journal article, Musk and Putin have discussed a range of topics, from business and geopolitical matters to more personal issues, potentially endangering sensitive U.S. government information due to Musk’s close ties with agencies like NASA and the Department of Defense.
“If a story is true,” Nelson said, “that re have been multiple conversations between Elon Musk and the president of Russia, and I think that would be concerning, particularly for NASA, for the Department of Defense, [and] for some of intelligence agencies.” He emphasized the need for verification of claims made in the report during an interview with Semafor.
U.S. officials have become increasingly wary of Musk’s ties with adversarial nations, especially given the pivotal role his company, SpaceX, plays in supporting U.S. defense operations. SpaceX’s satellite network, Starlink, has been a critical communication link for Ukrainian forces resisting Russian invasion. However, recent reports suggest Musk has sought compensation from the Pentagon to continue providing this service, sparking controversy.
National Security Implications and White House Concerns
report states that Musk’s conversations with Putin have been kept largely under wraps, with knowledge limited to select officials in the U.S., Europe, and Russia. Some U.S. government officials, who have not independently corroborated the report, have voiced concerns that if Musk has indeed been engaging with Putin, it could complicate the U.S. response to the Ukraine crisis and have broader implications for national security.
White House officials indicated that they were unaware of Musk’s reported interactions with the Russian leader. John Kirby, the spokesperson for the National Security Council, acknowledged the report but said the White House could not confirm details. Musk, for his part, has yet to comment.
In one instance cited by the Journal, Putin reportedly asked Musk not to activate Starlink services over Taiwan, citing a request from Chinese President Xi Jinping. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed only one phone call between Putin and Musk, discussing topics related to space and advanced technologies.
Ukraine Conflict and Musk’s Shifting Stance
Musk’s position on the Ukraine conflict has shifted in recent months, reportedly influenced by his conversations with senior Russian officials. Following initial support for Ukraine through Starlink, Musk’s stance has become more ambivalent, with some of his statements aligning more closely with the position of former President Donald Trump. Musk’s proposals have included suggestions for a peace plan, including re-elections under UN supervision in Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories, which has drawn criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
According to a biography by Walter Isaacson, Musk even refused a request from Ukraine to activate Starlink near Crimea, allegedly fearing that a direct Ukrainian assault on Russian naval forces would provoke a nuclear response from Russia. Musk has denied suggestions that he discussed the conflict with Putin, despite the revelations.
Dmitri Alperovitch, a Russia and cybersecurity expert, stressed the importance of Starlink for Ukrainian forces, describing the network as “essential to Ukraine in particular because y really could not prosecute this war without” it. Although SpaceX extended Starlink services to all of Ukraine earlier this year, Ukrainian intelligence has raised concerns that Russia might be using Starlink in occupied territories, with terminals reportedly acquired through third-party suppliers. SpaceX has denied conducting business directly with the Russian government or its military.
Broader Implications and Musk’s Political Influence
Musk’s actions have also attracted scrutiny in the context of his growing involvement in the U.S. political landscape. Recently, Musk has become a substantial donor to campaign efforts supporting former President Trump, contributing approximately $119 million to a super PAC backing Trump’s bid for the White House. Musk has appeared at rallies alongside Trump, endorsed him in public addresses, and hosted campaign events in swing states like Pennsylvania. His efforts have included a $1 million daily sweepstakes, aimed at incentivizing voter turnout for Trump in swing states. Justice Department, however, warned that the financial incentives may violate election laws.
SpaceX’s influence extends into both defense and intelligence sectors, raising concerns within the U.S. government about Musk’s growing influence and political leanings. The Pentagon has declined to comment on Musk’s security clearance or his relationships with foreign leaders, while national security officials remain cautious about investigating Musk due to complexities surrounding his U.S. citizenship and prominent role in American industry.
Next Steps and Potential Investigations
With mounting questions surrounding Musk’s alleged discussions with foreign leaders, including Putin, NASA, and intelligence agencies may proceed with preliminary investigations to assess potential risks. Whether Musk’s actions ultimately impact U.S.-Russia relations or shift the trajectory of the Ukraine conflict remains to be seen.
