Elon Musk Linked to Vladimir Putin and Russian Disinformation Campaign

A recent report by the Wall Street Journal has revealed that Elon Musk, the world’s richest man and a key figure in U.S. space efforts, has been in regular contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin since late 2022. These discussions, confirmed by several current and former U.S., European, and Russian officials, cover a range of topics including personal matters, business, and geopolitical tensions.

The Journal’s investigation indicates that Putin requested Musk not to activate his Starlink satellite internet service over Taiwan, reportedly as a favor to Chinese leader Xi Jinping. This request was made late last year, according to a former Russian intelligence officer.

Musk’s interactions with Russia have also involved a Putin associate who has been identified by the Department of Justice as the mastermind behind more than 30 websites spreading disinformation about Ukraine and the U.S. election. Some of this disinformation has been disseminated through Musk’s Twitter-X platform, which has seen a surge in foreign propaganda and hate speech following Musk’s decision to rescind content moderation rules.

The revelations have raised significant concerns about national security and the integrity of U.S. elections. Russia’s efforts to spread disinformation, particularly in the context of the upcoming U.S. presidential election, have been a focal point of concern for U.S. intelligence officials and private tech companies. Russia’s strategy involves exploiting legitimate debates and contentious issues in the U.S. to undermine trust in the government and among Americans.

The situation has sparked debates about whether Musk’s actions could be considered treasonous, given his significant involvement in U.S. space, defense, and military sectors. While some argue that legally, treason requires the U.S. to be at war, others suggest that aiding an enemy like Russia could still be considered treasonous.