NASA Administrator Bill Nelson has called for an investigation following a Wall Street Journal report suggesting that SpaceX founder Elon Musk and Russian President Vladimir Putin have been in “regular contact” since late 2022. The report alleges that Musk has discussed various topics with Putin, including personal matters, business interests, and geopolitical tensions, raising significant national security concerns.
Nelson expressed his skepticism regarding the validity of the report, stating, “I don’t know that that story is true. I think it should be investigated.” He emphasized that if the reports are accurate and indicate multiple conversations between Musk and Putin, it could be particularly troubling for NASA, the Department of Defense, and U.S. intelligence agencies.
The report has sparked worries among some U.S. officials about Musk’s interactions with adversarial nations, specifically Russia. However, the U.S. intelligence community is reportedly hesitant to investigate these interactions because Musk is a U.S. citizen. Despite the concerns, several White House officials indicated they were not aware of any contact between Musk and Putin, suggesting that knowledge of these discussions remains limited within the government. The Journal noted that the interactions were confirmed by various current and former officials from the U.S., Europe, and Russia.
This situation underscores the complexities and potential risks associated with private individuals in influential positions engaging with foreign leaders, particularly in the context of national security and international relations.
