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Senate Democrats Demand Federal Probe Into Starlink's Rapid Global Expansion

Lawmakers question whether Elon Musk leveraged his White House role to secure foreign approvals for Starlink during trade negotiations.

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Overview

  • Eight Senate Democrats have formally requested investigations into potential ethics violations involving Elon Musk and the Trump administration's support for Starlink's market access abroad.
  • The letter, sent to Attorney General Pam Bondi and other ethics officials, alleges possible quid-pro-quo arrangements linking Starlink's approvals to U.S. trade and tariff negotiations.
  • Starlink reportedly gained swift access to markets in countries like Bangladesh, India, and Saudi Arabia after diplomatic meetings or trade discussions involving Musk and U.S. officials.
  • The senators highlighted concerns over Musk's dual role as a senior White House adviser and CEO of SpaceX, citing reports of U.S. embassies advocating for Starlink’s regulatory clearance.
  • Neither the White House nor Starlink has commented on the allegations, which include claims of potential misuse of power and conflicts of interest.