In a potential twist with major national security implications, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson is urging an investigation into alleged contacts between Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Nelson voiced concerns following reports that Musk may have been in communication with Putin multiple times, which could raise counterintelligence flags for the U.S. Department of Defense and intelligence agencies.
“If the story is true that there have been multiple conversations between Elon Musk and the president of Russia, then I think that would be concerning, particularly for NASA, for the Department of Defense, for some of the intelligence agencies,” Nelson told CNN.
The concerns over Musk’s connections to Moscow stem from his influential role in U.S. national security interests, including a $1.8 billion classified contract with SpaceX to provide services for the Pentagon and NASA. His company’s technology is essential in both military and space operations, which has led some officials to worry about Musk’s access to sensitive U.S. intelligence, especially given his reported interactions with Russia.
The Wall Street Journal previously noted that Musk has allegedly been in contact with Putin since 2022, discussing not only professional but also personal matters. However, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov downplayed these concerns, confirming only a single call between Musk and Putin, purportedly focused on space technology and future technological developments.
The Pentagon has not commented on the recent media reports, nor have U.S. intelligence agencies openly committed to investigating Musk’s potential Russian connections. Sources familiar with the situation suggest that authorities are navigating carefully, balancing the implications of Musk’s communications against his critical role in U.S. space and defense projects.
This revelation has raised new concerns about the scope of private influence in matters of national security, especially as private entities like SpaceX continue to expand their roles within the federal government’s defense and intelligence operations.
Sources for this article include: CNN, Wall Street Journal, Ukrinform
