Elon Musk reportedly in contact with Vladimir Putin, asked not to activate Starlink over Taiwan

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has been in regular contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin since late 2022, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal.

The report, released Thursday, reveals that Musk and Putin discussed several topics, including geopolitical tensions. Two sources familiar with the matter told the Journal that in one conversation, Putin requested Musk not to activate his Starlink satellite network over Taiwan as a favor to Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Musk's connections with global political leaders have sparked scrutiny, particularly as his involvement in U.S. politics grows. The billionaire, who has publicly endorsed Donald Trump for the 2024 presidential election, was also accused earlier this year of selling Starlink terminals to Russia amid the ongoing war between Moscow and Ukraine. Musk denied the accusations, calling them "categorically false."

The Wall Street Journal further highlighted Musk's deep business ties with U.S. military and intelligence agencies. SpaceX, which operates Starlink, won a $1.8 billion classified contract in 2021 and is a key provider for the Pentagon and NASA. Musk's security clearance grants him access to sensitive U.S. space programs.

As this story unfolds, more details about Musk's interactions with Putin and the potential impact on his businesses are expected.