Senate Dems ask AG Bondi to investigate Musk-owned Starlink deals

Elon Musk, the owner of Tesla and SpaceX, was the topic of conversation for eight Senate Democrats who urged Attorney General Pam Bondi and others to look into potential ethics violations by Musk. The Democrats questioned whether the Trump administration was intervening to benefit Musk’s Starlink in securing deals with other countries.

The senators cited a report in The Washington Post that alleged the State Department and U.S. embassies were facilitating opportunities for U.S. satellite companies, particularly mentioning Starlink. They raised concerns that Musk may be leveraging his official position and ties to the president for personal financial gain, possibly at the expense of American consumers and foreign policy interests.

The letter, signed by Elizabeth Warren, Mark Warner, Jack Reed, Richard Blumenthal, Jeffrey Merkley, Martin Heinrich, and Edward Markey, called for investigations into potential ethics violations by Musk and other administration officials. They requested a review by the State Department Acting Inspector General to examine the department’s role in tariff negotiations and any improper assistance provided to Starlink.

Starlink, a global satellite-based internet service, has faced challenges in entering new markets but has reportedly seen increased approvals since Musk became an advisor to President Trump. The senators highlighted instances where countries like Lesotho, India, Bangladesh, and Vietnam allowed Starlink to operate while seeking relief from U.S. tariffs.

Accusations were also made against Secretary of State Marco Rubio for allegedly advocating for regulatory approvals for Musk’s firm. The senators want the Inspector General to investigate whether any ethical breaches occurred within the State Department.

SpaceX, founded by Musk, operates Starlink, which aims to provide internet access globally through satellite signals. As of now, SpaceX has not responded to requests for comment on the matter.