NASA boss calls for investigation into Musk and Putin's regular conversations

NASA boss calls for investigation into Musk and Putin's regular conversations

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson on Friday opened an investigation into one Wall Street Journal report demanded that SpaceX founder and Trump confidant Elon Musk has been in “regular contact” with Russian President Vladimir Putin since the end of 2022.

National Security Concerns

The report, which says Musk discussed "personal issues, business and geopolitical tensions" with the Russian leader, raises national security concerns. Given SpaceX's ties to NASA and the US military, Musk may have gained access to sensitive government information and US intelligence data.

Demand for explanation

"I don't know if the story is true. I think it should be investigated," Nelson told Semafor. “If the reports that there have been multiple conversations between Elon Musk and the president of Russia are true, that would be concerning, particularly for NASA, the Department of Defense and some intelligence agencies.”

Uncertainties in the White House

Several White House officials told the Journal that they were not aware of contact between Musk and Putin. The report suggested that knowledge of the talks was “a well-kept secret within the government.” Several current and former U.S., European and Russian officials confirmed the discussions to the Journal.

Request from Putin

In one case, the newspaper reported Putin asking Musk not to activate his Starlink satellite service over Taiwan “as a favor to Chinese leader Xi Jinping.”

Reactions to the reports

Musk did not respond to the Journal's inquiries. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Friday that he had noted the reporting but that the White House was "not in a position to confirm it" and deferred questions to Musk. A Pentagon spokesman said the Defense Department cannot comment on "security clearances, background checks or status of individuals."

Kremlin statement

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the newspaper that Musk and Putin only had one phone conversation in which they discussed “space and current and future technologies.”

Musk's political activities

Musk, who is also the CEO of Tesla and owner of X, has become one important financial figure developed in this presidential election campaign. In October, he invested nearly $44 million in a super PAC aimed at Trump to return to the White House – bringing his total donations to around $119 million. He also appeared with Trump at the campaign march in Butler, Pennsylvania, earlier this month.

Debates and Promotions in Pennsylvania

Last week, Musk also held his own town halls in Pennsylvania, where he urged voters to support Trump and promoted several debunked conspiracy theories about the 2020 election. They both have publicly discussed a potential government role for Musk.

Criticism and legal challenges

In recent days, Musk also offered a flashy $1 million daily giveaway for voters in swing states attracted the attention of the US Department of Justice. Despite a warning from the department that the payments may be illegal, Musk's super PAC on Thursday gave out two prizes of $1 million each to registered voters in Michigan and Wisconsin.

This report was prepared with assistance from CNN reporter Jackie Wattles.