The Controversy Over Elon Musk’s Alleged Conversations with Vladimir Putin
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson has called for an investigation into a Wall Street Journal report that claims SpaceX founder Elon Musk and Russian President Vladimir Putin have been in regular contact since late 2022. The report raises concerns about national security as Musk’s relations with NASA and the US military may have granted him access to sensitive government information and US intelligence.
The story has sparked debate among US officials, with some expressing counterintelligence concerns about Musk’s interactions with US adversaries like Russia. Despite this, the US intelligence community is hesitant to investigate further due to Musk’s American citizenship.
The Journal’s report also revealed a request from Putin to Musk not to activate his Starlink satellite internet service over Taiwan as a favor to Chinese leader Xi Jinping, adding a new layer of complexity to the situation.
Musk’s support for Ukraine through Starlink services has dwindled following Russia’s invasion in 2022, causing speculation about his motivations and alliances.