WSJ: Musk Is Having “Secret Conversations” With Putin

The Wall Street Journal reports:

Elon Musk, the world’s richest man and a linchpin of U.S. space efforts, has been in regular contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin since late 2022. The discussions, confirmed by several current and former U.S., European and Russian officials, touch on personal topics, business and geopolitical tensions. At one point, Putin asked the billionaire to avoid activating his Starlink satellite internet service over Taiwan as a favor to Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

Musk has emerged this year as a crucial supporter of Donald Trump’s election campaign, and could find a role in a Trump administration should he win. While the U.S. and its allies have isolated Putin in recent years, Musk’s dialogue could signal re-engagement with the Russian leader, and reinforce Trump’s expressed desire to cut a deal over major fault lines such as the war in Ukraine. The contacts also raise potential national-security concerns.

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Elon Musk has been in regular contact with Putin since late 2022.

At one point, Putin asked him to avoid activating his Starlink satellite internet service over Taiwan as a favor to Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Big @WSJ scoop: https://t.co/NUgcDtkzkR

— Rebecca Ballhaus (@rebeccaballhaus) October 25, 2024

Elon Musk, one of Trump’s biggest donors who has been campaigning for Trump, has been having secret conversations with Vladimir Putin since 2022.

According to WSJ, Putin asked Musk not to activate Starlink over Taiwan. pic.twitter.com/4zOLSfXraQ

— Blue Georgia (@BlueATLGeorgia) October 25, 2024