Two prominent Senate Democrats have raised alarms over Elon Musk's reported interactions with Russian President Vladimir Putin and other senior Russian officials. The senators have formally requested that the Pentagon and the Justice Department launch a federal investigation to ascertain the implications of Musk’s communications on national security, specifically in light of the Kremlin's prior denials.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Musk, currently the world's richest individual, engaged in several "high-level conversations" with Putin since 2022, leading to scrutiny over his company, SpaceX, which holds significant federal contracts. Following the publication of the initial reports, Musk responded on X, vowing to identify and retaliate against those making the allegations, derogatively referring to Senators Jack Reed and Jeanne Shaheen as "puppets" and "knuckleheads".
In a letter dispatched to Attorney General Merrick Garland and Defence Department Inspector General Robert Storch, Senators Reed and Shaheen articulated "serious questions" concerning Musk’s dependability as a government contractor and security clearance holder. They emphasized that Musk, unlike other individuals with similar clearances, has not been transparent regarding his contacts with foreign government officials, particularly in light of troubling findings regarding Russian officials' roles in promoting Kremlin propaganda via social media, including on Musk-owned X.
The senators pointed out the potential for space-related threats from Russia, noting incidents involving reported counter-space weapon deployments targeted at US satellites. They urged an immediate evaluation of Musk’s dealings with Russian officials, contending that these connections could necessitate a determination by the Department of Defense regarding Musk's future involvement in US government contracts.
At the same time, Musk continues to play a significant role in the political sphere, as he was recently appointed by Donald Trump to lead a newly formed "Department of Government Efficiency" after supporting Trump’s successful 2024 re-election bid. His ongoing diplomatic efforts reportedly included discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, along with a visit to the Iranian UN ambassador’s residence, highlighting his complex entanglement within both the tech and geopolitical arenas.
