Elon Musk, the world’s wealthiest individual and a pivotal figure in Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign, has reportedly held direct communications with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the past two years, according to a recent report by The Wall Street Journal. The alleged discussions have ranged from personal matters to sensitive geopolitical topics, with officials saying that at one point, Putin even asked Musk to refrain from activating his Starlink internet service over Taiwan as a gesture to Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The implications of Musk’s alleged private exchanges with Putin have raised concerns over Western security interests. Musk’s companies, including SpaceX and Starlink, play a significant role in the U.S. defense sector, with Starlink providing critical communications support to Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia. His social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), has also been cited as a vehicle for Russian disinformation.
This issue has intensified as Musk becomes a closer ally to Trump, who is seeking re-election and has hinted that Musk could hold an influential government role if he wins. Musk has already contributed substantial funds to Trump’s campaign and made multiple public appearances on his behalf.
“This is a classic case of oligarch influence over the U.S.,” remarked Fiona Hill, a former advisor for European and Russian affairs under Trump. She noted that should Musk’s influence grow, he could seek regulatory advantages and government contracts, with his technologies already serving militaries worldwide, including in Ukraine.
In related developments, Bob Woodward reported that Trump allegedly held up to seven private calls with Putin since his presidency ended. Trump did not confirm these conversations but implied that any contact would be strategic.
The Wall Street Journal report further stated that Musk’s contact with Russian leadership, extending from 2022 to 2023, included communication with high-ranking officials such as Sergei Kiriyenko, who has recently been accused by the U.S. Justice Department of establishing online domains to disseminate Russian disinformation intended to influence the U.S. presidential election.
Though Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov claimed that Musk had only one brief conversation with Putin about space and technology, the report cited unnamed officials who believe Musk discussed various topics on multiple occasions. Political scientist Ian Bremmer also confirmed that Musk previously told him he had spoken directly with Putin about Ukraine, a claim Musk later denied but which Fiona Hill corroborated.
The report adds to concerns about Musk’s increasing influence in U.S. politics, particularly given his potential ties to figures who may influence Western security policy.
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