NASA Administrator Bill Nelson has called for an investigation into a report by the Wall Street Journal that suggests SpaceX founder Elon Musk has been in frequent contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin, allegedly discussing personal and geopolitical matters. Nelson told Semafor reporter Burgess Everett that the claims, if verified, could be troubling for NASA, the Department of Defense, and U.S. intelligence agencies due to Musk’s access to sensitive information through his partnerships with U.S. government entities. The report, which claims several current and former U.S., European, and Russian officials confirmed these discussions, also noted that some White House officials were not informed of the contact, reflecting what one source called a “closely held secret” within government circles.
There are growing counterintelligence concerns about Musk’s interactions with U.S. adversaries, especially given the complex role SpaceX plays in national defense and international relations. Musk’s Starlink satellite system has become a linchpin in Ukrainian communications since Russia’s invasion in 2022, as Ukraine’s reliance on it has allowed its military to maintain connectivity despite infrastructure attacks. Although Musk initially funded Starlink’s operation in Ukraine, he later requested the Pentagon assume the financial burden. However, Musk ultimately withdrew the funding request, and SpaceX continued its support, though with limitations. SpaceX’s Starlink restricted its use to Ukrainian-held areas, complicating Ukrainian advances, although Ukraine later reported Starlink use in Russian-occupied zones, alleging Russia acquired the terminals through third-party sources.
This complex relationship has raised concerns about Musk’s evolving stance on the Ukraine conflict, which has at times mirrored the views of former President Donald Trump, a public ally of Musk. Last year, Musk controversially proposed a peace plan on X, his social media platform, suggesting a new vote under UN oversight in contested areas, a move widely criticized as favoring Russian interests. Additionally, Musk has been reported as voicing concerns over nuclear escalation, allegedly fueled by discussions with Russian officials. Biographer Walter Isaacson disclosed that Musk refused Ukraine’s request to extend Starlink near Crimea for a planned attack, fearing it could trigger a Russian nuclear response. Musk denied accusations from American political scientist Ian Bremmer that he and Putin discussed the war directly or Musk’s peace proposal.
Musk’s relationship with the Trump campaign has deepened as he’s donated substantial amounts to pro-Trump PACs, reaching over $119 million. Musk also joined Trump on the campaign trail, endorsing him and advocating for Trump’s 2024 presidential bid, despite Trump’s polarizing stances on Ukraine. Musk has positioned himself as a high-profile voice on the right, holding town halls in Pennsylvania where he promoted debunked 2020 election theories and underscored his alignment with Trump’s platform. His involvement even extended to offering $1 million daily prizes for swing-state voters, a move scrutinized by the Justice Department over potential election law violations.
White House and Pentagon officials are reportedly caught between a desire to investigate potential security risks and hesitations about involving intelligence agencies in monitoring Musk, who is a U.S. citizen and influential tech executive. John Kirby, the National Security Council spokesperson, acknowledged the WSJ report, but said the White House could not corroborate its claims. Additionally, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov commented that Putin and Musk had only one call, where they discussed “space and future technologies.”
Starlink’s critical role in the Ukraine conflict, where it has become essential to communication, brings unique challenges, with cybersecurity experts like Dmitri Alperovitch stressing that Ukraine’s war strategy heavily depends on it. At the same time, Musk’s involvement in political and international controversies signals how private tech leaders’ influence has expanded into global security, diplomacy, and electoral politics. As Musk navigates his roles as CEO of SpaceX, Tesla, and owner of X, the range of his interactions with world leaders, his personal viewpoints, and business decisions are under heightened scrutiny.
