In the Light of Putin's Phone Calls, Elon Musk's Position as a Potential National Security Risk Gainsmore Clarification
In the Light of Putin's Phone Calls, Elon Musk's Position as a Potential National Security Risk Gainsmore Clarification
Recent days have seen some stirring events for tech magnate Elon Musk. On a Wednesday, the Department of Justice casted doubt over his $1 million award to voters in key states, suggesting it might be illegal. Then, the following day, The Wall Street Journal disclosed that Musk has engaged in private chats with Russian President Vladimir Putin for numerous years.
According to the Journal's report, Musk and Putin have been conversing since 2022. The Journal corroborated its findings through discussions with authorities in the USA, Europe, and Russia. It's always been an acknowledged secret among influential political circles.
What could the world's wealthiest man and a firm authoritarian ruler possibly discuss? Surprisingly, quite a bit, as the Journal discovered. Their dialogues encompassed a range of topics like business endeavors, personal matters, and worldwide affairs. Musk, being a significant government contractor with a top-secret security clearance, has hands in various organizations.
SpaceX alone boasts hefty government contracts, some of which are so sensitive that their very existence is hush-hush, such as the one worth $1.8 billion granted in 2021. SpaceX's Starlink has proven to be a remarkable tool in the war in Ukraine, keeping communication lines open. Musk has donated over a thousand Starlink terminals to Kyiv, while the Pentagon has picked up the tab for several more. However, these terminals don't always perform as expected. For instance, drone operators in Ukraine complained last year about signal loss as they approached Russian-occupied Crimea.
Starlink insists its terminals are not intended for military purposes and should exclusively cater to civilians. Nonetheless, terminals have routinely surfaced in Russia, with sources indicating they arrived from different countries. In addition, Moscow has appropriated these terminals for military operations. When Starlink recognizes the unauthorized terminals, it disables them.
As per the Journal, Musk and Putin have reportedly discussed Starlink during their private interactions. Putin had asked Musk to refrain from activating Starlink terminals in Taiwan, requesting the billionaire comply as a personal favor to Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Musk is an individual of national security concern, considering his military ties, security clearance, and reckless conduct in associating with a foreign dictator and meddling in domestic politics. Despite facing scrutiny from the Pentagon over his public and rumored drug use, his security clearance remains intact. When queried about the matter by Semafor, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson answered that he primarily dealt with people other than Musk and that SpaceX had performed exceptionally well. “I’m unsure if this story is true,” Nelson mentioned. “However, if it is, it should be probed.”
Regardless of any potential legal issues with Trump's candidacy, Musk is utilizing his financial resources to support the campaign. He has been lavishing funds on the Republican nominee more than ever before, injecting an estimated $118.5 million into his bid since the summer.
Additionally, Musk is not shy about his political allegiances, extending monetary support to the Trump campaign through his America PAC and other resources. Musk has promised to gift $1 million to each individual supporting free speech and the Second Amendment who signs his online petition, partaking in a daily lottery with a chance of winning the substantial prize before the election. Musk aims to emerge as the “MrBeast of politics,” offering generous rewards to attract support for his preferred candidate.
This approach, however, has sparked controversy and speculation of potential wrongdoing. Only voters in specific states such as Pennsylvania, Georgia, Nevada, Arizona, Michigan, Wisconsin, and North Carolina are eligible. Despite the ambiguity in the petition's rules, it's challenging to imagine that those participating don't anticipate whose support Musk desires.
Furthermore, the Justice Department sent a warning letter to Musk's America PAC, claiming that the lottery might violate federal election laws. Despite this warning, Musk continues to hold the sweepstakes, distributing the grand prizes like they're going out of fashion. Just before 11 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on a recent night, the America PAC shared a picture of Jason Holland from Michigan, showcasing his oversized novelty check alongside a call to action to sign the petition.
The Journal's investigation also revealed that Musk and Putin discussed the potential implications of Starlink's technology in the future, specifically its use in geopolitical scenarios. Given Musk's significant government contracts and sensitive projects, such as SpaceX's Starlink, his interactions with foreign leaders raise questions about tech diplomacy and national security in the approaching decades.