Democratic senators call for investigation into Elon Musk's foreign deals involving Starlink

Source: NBC News

May 2, 2025, 10:00 AM EDT


Democratic senators alleged Friday that tech billionaire Elon Musk may have used his White House job to drum up private deals in foreign countries for Starlink, his satellite internet service.

In a letter to President Donald Trump, 13 senators led by Mark Warner, D-Va., wrote that Starlink seemed to make sudden breakthroughs this year in at least five countries that previously resisted giving the company footholds there. The senators called for Trump to investigate and make the findings public.

“It is disturbing that the Senate ... has to consider the possibility of self-dealing by senior officials,” they wrote in the letter. “Musk is reportedly taking advantage of his government role to coerce concessions from foreign governments for his own benefit, including unfettered market access as well as contracts with his companies, in exchange for favorable treatment by the U.S. government,” they wrote.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. It has said Musk follows all applicable ethics rules related to his dual role as a presidential adviser and corporate executive. SpaceX and Musk also did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/elon-musk/democrats-call-investigate-musks-foreign-starlink-deals-rcna204348