Elon Musk has reportedly maintained close contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the past two years, according to The Wall Street Journal. The discussions, covering business, geopolitical issues, and personal matters, have sparked national security concerns due to Musk’s central role in U.S. defense technologies and space missions.
One alleged conversation involved Putin asking Musk to avoid activating his Starlink internet service over Taiwan, reportedly as a favor to China’s President Xi Jinping. The request was suggested as part of Russia’s broader effort to strengthen trade ties with China.
Musk’s SpaceX-operated Starlink network has previously been crucial for Ukraine's communications, especially after Russia's February 2022 invasion. Musk initially showed support for Ukraine, but his stance seemed to shift in September 2023 after he expressed concerns about Ukraine using Starlink in Crimea, fearing it could provoke nuclear conflict.
Musk, who controls SpaceX—the main rocket launcher for NASA and the Pentagon—has access to sensitive U.S. government information, a situation raising concerns given his influential international connections.
In a related development, Musk has become increasingly involved in the 2024 U.S. presidential election. Despite previously saying he would not support any candidate, Musk has since endorsed former President Donald Trump and emerged as a major donor. In October alone, Musk reportedly contributed $44 million to a pro-Trump PAC and announced a plan to give away $1 million per day to Trump supporters who sign his PAC’s petition, specifically targeting swing-state voters. This action has drawn scrutiny from the Justice Department, which is questioning the legality of Musk’s substantial giveaways.
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