Is Elon Musk compromised by Putin? What we know (2024)

Elon Musk, billionaire CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, is facing scrutiny following a recent report by The Wall Street Journal alleging regular communications between him and Russian President Vladimir Putin since late 2022.

The report has ignited concerns about national security and Musk's influence on U.S. politics. Newsweek has contacted Elon Musk via email for comment.

Here's what we know so far.

Alleged Communications with Putin

According to The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), Musk has been in frequent contact with Putin, discussing topics ranging from personal matters to business interests and geopolitical tensions.

Several current and former U.S., European and Russian officials have claimed knowledge of these interactions, although this intelligence appears to be closely held within the U.S. government.

A former Russian intelligence officer briefed on the matter claimed that Putin asked Musk to refrain from activating his Starlink satellite internet service over Taiwan as a favor to Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

Michael Sobolik, America Foreign Policy Council Senior Fellow and former Congressional staff member, commented on X, formerly Twitter: "Good grief. Putin asked Musk to deny Starlink services to Taiwan as a favor to Xi Jinping. @elonmusk's parroting of CCP propaganda about Taiwan takes on an even darker dimension...

"@RepGallagher raised this concern earlier this year: 'I understand that SpaceX is possibly withholding broadband internet services in and around Taiwan — possibly in breach of SpaceX's contractual obligations with the U.S. government'."

These alleged discussions come at a time when Russia is increasingly relying on China amid international sanctions following Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The Kremlin, however, has downplayed the extent of these communications. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the WSJ only one conversation between Musk and Putin had taken place, stating they discussed "space as well as current and future technologies."

In October 2022, political scientist and CEO of consulting firm Eurasia Group Ian Bremmer claimed that Musk had disclosed conversations with Putin and Russian officials regarding Ukraine. According to Bremmer, Musk shared details about Russia's non-negotiable positions.

"He also told me what the Kremlin's red lines were," he wrote.

In his online newsletter, Bremmer said that Musk had reportedly conveyed a message from Putin that Russia would maintain control of Crimea and ensure Ukrainian neutrality regardless of circumstances, and would respond to any Ukrainian attempt to retake Crimea with nuclear weapons.

Musk has publicly denied saying any of these things to Bremmer.

National Security Concerns

Musk's companies hold significant contracts with NASA and the Pentagon. According to the New York Times Tesla and SpaceX combined clocked up at least $15.4 billion in government contracts over the past decade, $11.8 billion with NASA alone.

SpaceX won a $1.8 billion classified contract in 2021 and is the primary rocket launcher for the Pentagon and NASA. As a result, Musk holds a security clearance that grants him access to certain classified information.

The Starlink satellite network, operated by SpaceX, has been instrumental in providing internet services in conflict zones like Ukraine. Musk's access to sensitive government projects and classified information has raised eyebrows amid the latest allegations.

According to the WSJ, a Pentagon spokesperson declined to comment on individual security clearances but emphasized the importance of safeguarding national security information.

One individual familiar with the situation, however, told WSJ "They don't love it," referring to Pentagon officials' attitude to the Musk-Putin contacts.

No formal alerts have been raised over possible security breaches by Musk.

Olga Lautman, a senior fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis and senior investigative researcher at NGO the Institute for European Integrity, expressed concerns about Starlink's use in the Ukraine conflict: "Russian forces have become deadlier and more agile with the help of illicit Starlink terminals."

She posted on X: "How do we know Musk doesn't have an arrangement with Putin to provide Starlink to Russia via cutouts? Why has no one investigated this?"

Musk's Influence on U.S. Politics

With his cofounding of pro-Trump organization America PAC, $75 million in donations to PAC and his daily million dollar giveaway to registered voters in swing states that sign the PAC's petition, Musk has emerged as a significant supporter of former President Donald Trump's election campaign.

Garry Kasparov, former world chess champion and human rights activist, posted on X: "Like Trump, Musk cares only for his personal business dealings and his image. Putin, Xi, and other dictators always find such people easy to exploit because it's also how they operate. No messy oversight, laws, or national interests, just quid pro quo."

Kasparov added: "MAGA's regurgitation of Kremlin talking points was not a subtle clue. Whether Musk and the rest are really that ignorant & gullible or just that corrupt and treasonous will be for years of journalism and hearings to reveal. But it won't happen if Trump wins & they write history."

Is Elon Musk compromised by Putin? What we know (2024)
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