Two top Senate Democrats have called for a federal investigation into Elon Musk’s reported communications with Russian President Vladimir Putin and his aides, raising concerns over national security risks tied to Musk’s government contracts.
Rhode Island Senator Jack Reed, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and New Hampshire Senator Jeanne Shaheen, a senior member of the Armed Services and Foreign Relations Committees, sent a letter on Friday to Attorney General Merrick Garland and Defense Department Inspector General Robert Storch. The letter questioned Musk’s reliability as a government contractor and his status as a top-secret security clearance holder.
The Wall Street Journal recently reported that Musk had “multiple, high-level conversations” with Putin since 2022, allegations the Kremlin denies. Musk, however, reacted strongly on his X platform, saying, “I’m going to find out who’s making these accusations and nuke them.”
The senators highlighted Musk’s alleged communications with Sergei Kiriyenko, Putin’s deputy chief of staff, who has been linked to Kremlin propaganda efforts on social media platforms, including X (formerly Twitter). The Justice Department has accused Kiriyenko of attempting to undermine global support for Ukraine and influence U.S. elections.
“Russia’s ambitions in the space domain pose a direct threat to U.S. national security,” Reed and Shaheen wrote, emphasizing that Musk’s SpaceX is deeply embedded in America’s defense and intelligence infrastructure.
The scrutiny comes as Musk takes on a significant role in President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration. Earlier this week, Trump appointed Musk to lead a new Department of Government Efficiency. Musk has also been involved in Trump’s diplomatic efforts, participating in calls with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, and attending a meeting with Argentine President Javier Milei at Trump’s Florida residence.
Adding to the controversy, CBS News reported that Musk recently visited the residence of Iran’s United Nations ambassador in New York. Washington does not have diplomatic relations with Tehran, and Iran’s foreign minister denied the meeting took place. It remains unclear whether Trump or his national security team were aware of the alleged visit.
Reed and Shaheen argued that Musk’s actions raise serious concerns about his compliance with security protocols. “Unlike others with high-level security clearances, Mr. Musk does not appear to report his contacts with foreign government officials,” they wrote.
The senators have urged the Pentagon and Justice Department to investigate whether Musk’s alleged relations with a U.S. adversary undermine national security or violate his obligations as a government contractor.
Musk, whose SpaceX company is a key contractor for NASA and the U.S. military, has faced growing scrutiny over his influence in defense and space operations, as well as his management of X, which critics say has allowed disinformation to flourish.
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