Two Democratic senators, Jeanne Shaheen and Jack Reed, have urged the Pentagon and the Department of Justice to investigate Elon Musk.
Jeopardize National Security
They expressed concerns about his alleged communications with Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin.
The senators argue these ties could jeopardize national security due to Musk’s extensive government contracts.
Musk, the CEO of SpaceX and owner of X (formerly Twitter), plays a key role in supporting Ukraine, according to Digi24.
SpaceX’s Starlink satellite network has been crucial for maintaining Ukrainian communication systems during the war. However, reports of Musk’s interactions with Russian officials have raised alarms.
Multiple Conversations with Russia
In 2022, Ian Bremmer, a political analyst, claimed Musk told him he had discussed Russia’s nuclear "red lines" and the Ukraine war with Putin.
Musk denied this, saying he had only spoken with Putin about space exploration over a year earlier.
Last month, The Wall Street Journal reported that Musk had multiple conversations with senior Russian officials, including Putin and his chief of staff, Sergei Kiriyenko.
The senators expressed particular concern due to Musk’s influence on critical U.S. defense programs. SpaceX holds contracts worth billions with the Pentagon, NASA, and U.S. intelligence agencies.
Starlink has nearly 7,000 satellites, making SpaceX the largest satellite operator globally. The network is vital for Ukraine, helping the military maintain battlefield connectivity after Russian attacks destroyed traditional networks.
In 2022, Musk ordered Starlink to deactivate near Crimea, halting a planned Ukrainian strike on Russia’s Black Sea fleet. Musk later said he made the decision to prevent escalation and a possible nuclear response from Russia.
This decision led to criticism from Ukrainian officials who had to plead with Musk to reactivate the system.
The senators believe Musk’s ties to Russia and his control over key defense infrastructure raise serious questions. They argue that his actions should be scrutinized to protect U.S. security interests.
