The Russian dictator is also said to have asked the tech billionaire not to activate his Starlink internet service through Taiwan. This is to please Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
October 25, 2024 06:22October 25, 2024 08:12
Tech billionaire and Trump supporter Elon Musk has been in regular contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin since late 2022, according to newspaper reports.
The Journal named several current and former government officials from the United States, Europe and Russia. The conversation between Musk and Putin spanned geopolitical, business and personal topics.
Billionaire Elon Musk is increasingly involved in international politics.Image: trapezoid
The extremely wealthy entrepreneur did not respond to the newspaper's request for comment ahead of time and did not initially comment after the story was published. Instead, he published more posts in support of former President Donald Trump on his online platform, X, where he regularly spreads right-wing conservative positions. Two years ago, Musk explicitly denied reports of contact with Putin.
It is said that I got in touch with him this year
But the Wall Street Journal, citing a current and a former Secret Service agent, said those ties actually existed and continued into this year.
According to two people familiar with the matter, Putin asked Musk not to activate Taiwan's Starlink satellite communications system.
In doing so, Putin was trying to do a favor to Chinese leader Xi Jinping, who claims control of Taiwan and supports Putin's aggressive war against Ukraine.
Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin at the BRICS summit in Kazan.Image: trapezoid
Musk is the head of electric carmaker Tesla and space company SpaceX. His Tesla stock holdings, among other things, made him the world's richest man. SpaceX currently plays a key role in the U.S. civilian and military space programs. That's why Musk has a confidential information clearance.
Ukraine Starlink Terminal
After Russia attacked Ukraine in February 2022, SpaceX equipped the Ukrainian armed forces with Starlink terminals, replacing cellular infrastructure destroyed by Russian forces. The U.S. Department of Defense has now signed a contract with SpaceX for this purpose.
We know from Musk’s biography that he wanted to prevent a Ukrainian attack on Russia’s Black Sea Fleet on the Russian-occupied Crimean peninsula. Therefore, Musk rejected Ukraine’s request to launch Starlink in the region, citing concerns about military escalation due to nuclear weapons.
Republican presidential candidate Trump has promised to appoint Thomas to lead a committee to review U.S. government spending if he wins the election on November 5. Since SpaceX is a U.S. government contractor and Tesla depends on decisions by U.S. regulators, there could be a conflict of interest. Meanwhile, Musk's electric car factory is the focus of multiple investigations.
(DAB/Sudan Development Authority/Department of Political Affairs)
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