In a startling revelation, a recent report from The Wall Street Journal has uncovered that tech billionaire Elon Musk has been in regular communication with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the past two years. This ongoing dialogue, which has reportedly covered personal matters, business interests, and geopolitical issues, has raised significant concerns regarding Musk’s influence on U.S. national security.
According to the report, one of the most alarming instances involved a request from Putin to Musk not to activate his Starlink satellite internet service over Taiwan, a favor to bolster China’s position, as Beijing and Moscow maintain a strategic partnership amidst Western sanctions. This incident highlights the intricate web of connections Musk has with global power players and the potential implications for U.S. interests.
Musk’s relationship with the Kremlin intensified following his vocal support for Ukraine after Russia’s invasion in February 2022. His decision to provide Starlink terminals to Ukraine played a crucial role in maintaining communications in war-torn areas. However, his support drew ire from the Russian government, leading to threats against him and his businesses. By mid-2022, Musk began to shift his rhetoric regarding American support for Ukraine, framing it in a manner that echoed Kremlin narratives.
In February 2023, during a widely publicized interview on X (formerly Twitter) with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, Putin commented on the need for common ground with Musk, underscoring the billionaire’s substantial influence. “There’s no stopping Elon Musk, he’s going to do what he thinks he needs to do,” Putin stated, implying that understanding Musk’s motivations could be beneficial for diplomatic relations.
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As Musk has ramped up his support for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, questions loom about the implications of his ties to both Trump and Putin. With nearly 100 contracts with 17 federal agencies, Musk’s ventures, particularly SpaceX, play an essential role in U.S. space operations, including satellite deployments for the Department of Defense and NASA.
This nexus of business and politics has sparked concerns about the potential for conflicts of interest and national security threats. Current and former intelligence officials have expressed worries about the nature of Musk’s conversations with Putin and whether U.S. intelligence has intercepted any communications.
Moreover, Musk’s recent actions, including his controversial initiative offering $1 million to registered voters in swing states to support a “Petition in Favor of Free Speech and the Right to Bear Arms,” have drawn scrutiny from the Department of Justice, further complicating his political influence.
Despite these serious allegations, Musk has denied any wrongdoing, insisting that his companies have done more to undermine Russia than any other entity. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov, meanwhile, downplayed the significance of Musk’s communications, characterizing their discussions as centered on space technology.
As the 2024 election approaches, the ramifications of Musk’s relationships with powerful figures like Putin and Trump will continue to be scrutinized. Americans are left to wonder: How deeply intertwined are Musk’s business interests with national security? How much does the government know about Musk’s dealings with Putin? Have the calls been intercepted by U.S. intelligence, or others? Have U.S. officials discussed the matter with Musk?
