NASA’s top official, Bill Nelson, is calling for an investigation into a troubling report that claims Elon Musk, the billionaire behind SpaceX and Tesla, has been in regular contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The report, which surfaced recently, suggests that Musk and Putin have been speaking since late 2022, covering topics such as personal matters, business, and global political tensions, including the ongoing war in Ukraine.
This report has raised alarms within the U.S. government, particularly because Musk’s companies, like SpaceX, work closely with NASA and the Department of Defense. These partnerships could potentially give Musk access to sensitive government information, making any conversations with Putin a possible national security issue.
NASA Administrator Calls for a Thorough Investigation
On Friday, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson expressed his concern. He stated that while it’s not yet clear if the report is true, it should be investigated. Nelson pointed out that if the claims of Musk having multiple conversations with Putin are accurate, it could be concerning for NASA, the Department of Defense, and U.S. intelligence agencies.
This concern stems from Musk’s significant role in the U.S. government’s space exploration and military operations. SpaceX, which Musk founded, plays a vital role in launching NASA rockets and provides satellite internet services through its Starlink system. These services have been especially important for military communication, including during the war in Ukraine.
The thought that Musk may be sharing ideas or strategies with Putin worries many in the U.S. government. If true, it could mean that a private citizen, who has direct involvement with U.S. space and military programs, is speaking regularly with a foreign leader who is considered a major adversary of the United States.
Government Officials Are Concerned
Some U.S. officials were already uneasy about Musk’s connections with foreign leaders, such as those from Russia and China. Musk, one of the richest and most influential people in the world, has a large impact on global affairs due to the reach of his companies. However, the U.S. intelligence community, including agencies like the FBI and CIA, is hesitant to launch a full investigation because Musk is an American citizen, which complicates matters.
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According to the report, only a small number of people in the U.S. government seem to know about these conversations, making it a closely held secret. The report suggests that these talks were confirmed by a mix of current and former U.S., European, and Russian officials.
In one instance, the report claims that Putin asked Musk to avoid extending Starlink’s satellite internet service over Taiwan as a favor to China’s leader, Xi Jinping. This raised additional concerns about whether Musk’s actions are influenced by foreign governments. However, when questioned, neither Musk nor the Kremlin provided clear answers. A Kremlin spokesman did admit that Musk and Putin had spoken once over the phone to discuss space and future technologies.
Musk’s Complex Role in the Ukraine War
One of the most critical aspects of this situation is Musk’s involvement in the Russia-Ukraine war. Early in the conflict, Musk’s company, SpaceX, provided Ukraine with Starlink satellite internet services. This allowed Ukraine’s military to communicate and coordinate, even when Russian forces destroyed traditional internet and cell networks.
However, Musk’s support for Ukraine has become more complicated over time. At one point, SpaceX asked the Pentagon to cover the cost of the Starlink service in Ukraine, which was costing tens of millions of dollars per month. Musk later changed his mind, withdrawing the request for the U.S. government to pay. Around this time, Musk also posted a controversial poll on social media, asking if people thought Ukraine should hold new elections in regions Russia had illegally annexed.
Musk’s actions regarding Starlink have raised eyebrows. For example, Ukrainian forces once asked Musk to turn on Starlink near Crimea to help them conduct a surprise attack on the Russian navy. However, Musk refused, citing fears of escalating the conflict, possibly leading to a nuclear response from Russia. This decision, according to a biography of Musk, may have been influenced by Musk’s private conversations with senior Russian officials.
Musk, on the other hand, has denied some of the claims. In October 2022, he rejected statements made by an American political expert who said Musk had spoken with Putin about a peace plan for Ukraine.
These recent developments paint a complicated picture of Musk. While he is celebrated for his achievements in technology and space exploration, the possibility that he has been in frequent contact with one of the world’s most controversial leaders is raising serious concerns. With NASA’s top official calling for an investigation, the U.S. government may soon take a closer look at Musk’s foreign interactions and what impact they might have on national security.
