NASA Administrator Bill Nelson expressed serious concerns on Thursday, following reports that Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and vocal supporter of former President Donald Trump, has had repeated conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Wall Street Journal report indicated Musk and Putin have allegedly been in contact for over two years, discussing a range of topics including personal issues, business ventures, and global political tensions.
“I don’t know if this story is true, but it should be investigated,” Nelson stated at a Semafor conference on Friday. He added that, if confirmed, such communications could raise red flags for agencies like NASA, the Department of Defense, and U.S. intelligence agencies.
According to the report, Musk’s influence and access to classified information through SpaceX—which operates Starlink and holds contracts with the Pentagon and NASA—make the allegations particularly sensitive. White House officials acknowledged the Wall Street Journal article, but National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby refrained from verifying its accuracy, directing questions to Musk.
The Journal highlighted Musk’s extensive ties to U.S. military and intelligence programs, making the alleged Kremlin interactions a closely guarded topic within government circles. The timing of the news, as Musk grows more active in Trump’s campaign, adds another layer of urgency with the U.S. election around the corner.
