Elon Musk, SpaceX Under U.S. Military Investigation
TMTPOST -- Elon Musk and SpaceX are under investigation by three U.S. military departments, according to a report by The New York Times. The inquiries focus on allegations that Musk and his company failed to disclose meetings with foreign leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, since 2021.
The investigations were initiated by the Department of Defense's Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Air Force, and the Pentagon's Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security. The scrutiny arises from concerns over Musk's compliance with security protocols, given his top-security clearance at SpaceX, which grants him access to classified U.S. military information. Musk is required to report personal details, travel plans, and certain behaviors under these protocols.
According to some SpaceX employees, Musk and the company have repeatedly violated these reporting requirements, including failing to provide full itineraries for meetings with foreign leaders and possibly withholding details about personal habits, such as drug use. Reports indicate that the U.S. Air Force denied Musk a higher security clearance due to potential risks related to his handling of classified information.
The concerns extend beyond the U.S., with at least nine other countries, including some in Europe and the Middle East, expressing concerns about Musk's involvement in meetings with U.S. defense officials over the past three years. These nations are reportedly worried about Musk's ability to safeguard sensitive information.
Some SpaceX employees, aware of the alleged non-compliance, spoke out to The New York Times, criticizing Musk’s public discussions of sensitive meetings on his social media platform, X (formerly Twitter). However, many employees were reluctant to report the issues through official channels due to fears of professional retaliation.
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