Elon Musk Russia Putin: A recent Wall Street Journal report has revealed that Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has allegedly maintained consistent contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the past two years, discussing topics that range from personal issues to major geopolitical concerns. Citing sources close to the matter, the report claims that Musk faced “implicit threats” from the Kremlin over his support for Ukraine, which has deepened scrutiny around his role in American politics and foreign relations.
The latest details, disclosed Thursday night, have raised significant concerns, particularly regarding Musk’s involvement with Starlink, the satellite internet service he provided to Ukraine during the ongoing Russian invasion. According to the report, Putin reportedly asked Musk last year not to activate Starlink in Taiwan, citing China’s alliance with Russia as a major factor. Given China’s close trade ties with Russia in the face of Western sanctions, the report claims that Xi Jinping had an influence on Putin’s request.
In 2022, Musk’s outspoken support for Ukraine’s access to Starlink placed him in the Kremlin’s crosshairs, and Russian officials reportedly made “implicit threats” toward Musk’s business. Around the same time, Musk’s stance on U.S. aid to Ukraine cooled, and he began to advocate for a peace agenda that some analysts say echoed Kremlin-backed perspectives.
The report also details Musk’s complicated involvement in the U.S. 2024 presidential race, where he has publicly supported former President Donald Trump. Trump, who has also faced scrutiny over alleged ties with Russia, announced plans to give Musk a role in a future administration if re-elected. Critics have raised concerns over Musk’s influence on federal contracts, as his companies, Tesla and SpaceX, secured over $3 billion in federal contracts in 2023 alone.
Trump’s campaign released a statement praising Musk as “a once-in-a-generation industry leader” whose ideas could benefit the government. Trump’s campaign spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt, remarked, “As for Putin, there’s only one candidate in the race that he did not invade another country under, and it’s President Trump.”
Federal officials have raised potential concerns over Musk’s communications with Putin, although no concrete security breach has been identified. However, given Musk’s high-profile role in both technology and international affairs, this ongoing connection with the Kremlin places him in an unusual position as both a tech visionary and a controversial political figure.
The ongoing revelations have led to mixed reactions across the U.S., with some advocating for transparency in Musk’s business and political engagements, while others view his involvement with global powers as a potential security risk. Musk’s influence on technology, politics, and space exploration positions him as a major player on the world stage, prompting questions about the extent of his engagement with foreign leaders.
