NASA Administrator Bill Nelson has called for an investigation into a Wall Street Journal report claiming that SpaceX founder Elon Musk and Russian President Vladimir Putin have been in “regular contact” since late 2022. The report raises significant national security concerns, given SpaceX’s critical relationships with NASA and the U.S. military, which may have granted Musk access to sensitive information.
Nelson stated, “I don’t know that the story is true. I think it should be investigated.” He emphasized the importance of understanding the implications of any conversations between Musk and Putin, particularly for agencies like NASA and the Department of Defense. Several White House officials have reportedly expressed ignorance regarding the alleged contacts, with the Journal noting that knowledge of the discussions appears to be closely held within the government.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the discussions reportedly included “personal topics, business, and geopolitical tensions.” One notable incident involved a request from Putin to Musk to refrain from activating his Starlink satellite internet service over Taiwan “as a favor to Chinese leader Xi Jinping.”
Musk did not respond to the Journal’s requests for comments on these claims. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby acknowledged the report but stated that the White House is “not in a position to corroborate” the details, deferring questions to Musk himself.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed to the Journal that Musk and Putin had only one telephone conversation, in which they discussed “space as well as current and future technologies.” This response contrasts with the implications of ongoing communication outlined in the report.
In addition to his connections with international leaders, Musk has emerged as a significant financial player in the current presidential election cycle. He contributed nearly $44 million to a super PAC supporting Donald Trump in October alone, raising his total donations to approximately $119 million. Recently, he joined Trump on the campaign trail, encouraging voters to support the former president and promoting various conspiracy theories regarding the 2020 election.
Musk has also drawn attention for offering $1 million daily sweepstakes for swing-state voters, an initiative that has faced scrutiny from the U.S. Justice Department. Despite warnings that the payments might be illegal, Musk’s super PAC awarded two $1 million prizes to registered voters in Michigan and Wisconsin last Thursday.
As investigations into Musk’s alleged communications with Putin proceed, the implications for national security and the ongoing political landscape will be closely monitored. The unfolding situation underscores the complex intersection of business, politics, and international relations in today’s world.For further updates, stay tuned as this story develops.