WASHINGTON — Elon Musk, the billionaire tech mogul, participated in a significant phone call on Tuesday between President-elect Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The call, the first between Trump and Zelenskyy since the election, has sparked questions about Musk’s growing influence in the incoming administration and his role in global affairs.
Reports, including one from Axios, reveal that Musk’s involvement in the call was unplanned. According to sources, Musk entered the room while Trump and Zelenskyy were speaking, and Trump invited him to join the conversation. Although Zelenskyy’s spokesperson called the call “positive,” neither he nor Musk provided additional details about the conversation. Zelenskyy later posted on social media, calling the call with Trump “excellent” and congratulating him on his “historic landslide victory.” Musk’s participation was not mentioned in Zelenskyy’s post.
Musk’s appearance is notable because Ukraine has relied heavily on his Starlink satellite internet service, which has been vital since Russia’s invasion in 2022 destroyed much of Ukraine’s communications infrastructure. Zelenskyy mentioned using Starlink during the call, and Musk reportedly promised to send more Starlink base stations to Ukraine.
Neither Musk nor spokespeople for Trump or Zelenskyy responded immediately to requests for comment.
Musk’s Growing Influence and Potential Conflicts of Interest
Musk’s role in the call highlights his increasing prominence in U.S. political and diplomatic matters. In his victory speech, Trump referred to Musk as “a star,” indicating that the South African-born billionaire is likely to play a central role in the upcoming administration. Musk, who invested over $100 million to support Trump’s election efforts, is expected to have significant influence on both policy and global affairs.
However, Musk’s increasing involvement in government affairs raises concerns about potential conflicts of interest. Musk’s companies, particularly SpaceX, are deeply involved in U.S. national security, with SpaceX securing more than $15 billion in federal contracts over the last decade. The company plays a crucial role in the U.S. space program and has become a key player in military communications and satellite technology. As Musk seeks to expand his space ambitions, including plans for Mars exploration, questions arise about the influence a private individual could have over critical government functions.
Geopolitical Concerns and National Security Issues
Musk’s role in the Ukraine conflict, particularly through Starlink, has placed him at the intersection of geopolitics and national security. Initially, SpaceX made Starlink available to Ukrainian forces battling Russian invaders, but Musk has faced criticism for later limiting access. He first demanded the U.S. government foot the bill for the service, and then suggested that reactivating Starlink for military use could escalate the war into a global conflict. These actions have raised alarms about the potential for a private company—and its CEO—to influence the course of international conflict.
Further complicating matters, recent reports suggest Musk has been in frequent contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin since late 2022. According to The Wall Street Journal, their discussions have touched on a range of topics, including business and geopolitical tensions. These reported communications have raised concerns, particularly given U.S. intelligence agencies’ findings that Russia used disinformation campaigns to influence past U.S. elections. Musk’s ownership of X (formerly Twitter), and his personal history of promoting pro-Trump content, has only intensified scrutiny of his ties to Russian leadership.
Rep. Jim Himes, the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, expressed concerns about Musk’s national security clearance and his role in U.S. defense contracts. “We need to know what the intelligence community is aware of regarding Musk’s connections to Putin,” Himes said. “It’s not just about security clearances—this is about ensuring U.S. national security isn’t compromised by outside influence.”
NASA and Others Call for Investigation
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson has also voiced concerns over Musk’s interactions with Putin. Reports have suggested that Putin requested Musk avoid activating Starlink services over Taiwan, allegedly as a favor to Chinese President Xi Jinping. Nelson stated that such reports, if true, should be investigated. “If there is truth to these claims, it would be concerning, particularly for agencies like NASA and the Department of Defense,” he said. “We cannot afford to have foreign leaders influencing decisions made by U.S. companies that have access to sensitive technologies.”
The possible impact of Musk’s interactions with global leaders, including Putin, highlights a growing dilemma for U.S. policymakers. The question of whether Musk’s business interests and foreign relationships might influence U.S. foreign policy and national security is one that will likely come under increasing scrutiny as he assumes a more significant role in the Trump administration.
What’s Next for Musk’s Role in U.S. Policy?
The call between Trump and Zelenskyy offers an early glimpse into Musk’s potential influence on U.S. foreign policy, particularly regarding Ukraine and Russia. As the war in Ukraine continues to unfold, Musk’s Starlink service—and his personal involvement in Ukraine’s communications—place him in a unique position at the nexus of technology, military strategy, and diplomacy.
Whether Musk’s growing involvement in political matters will lead to more prominent roles in Trump’s administration—or raise further questions about his business interests and foreign relationships—remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that his influence on U.S. foreign policy will continue to evolve, and the implications for national security and international diplomacy are likely to be a major focus in the coming years.
