1. United States
2. Letter

Elon Musk's recent interactions with Russian President Vladimir Putin are deeply concerning, raising questions about foreign influence in U.S. politics and national security risks given Musk's companies' significant government contracts. Reports indicate Musk has been in regular contact with Putin over the past two years, discussing personal matters, business dealings, and geopolitics. This level of communication between a major government contractor and the leader of an adversarial power is unacceptable. Putin's request that Musk not activate Starlink satellite systems over Taiwan as a favor to China underscores the troubling nature of these conversations. Musk's shifting stance on Ukraine, from initially supporting Kyiv to proposing concessions that would benefit Russia, also coincided with his discussions with Putin. This disturbing timeline suggests improper foreign sway over a key figure in the American private sector. Musk's ties to Putin are compounded by his close alliance with president elect Trump, himself under scrutiny for alleged backchannel communications with the Russian leader. With Musk vowing to give Trump a role in government if elected, the risks of malign Russian leverage in domestic and foreign policymaking are severe. Safeguarding American democracy and autonomy requires prohibiting individuals who fraternize with hostile autocrats from positions of power and authority over matters of national importance. Strict limits on Musk's ability to interfere in U.S. affairs are now imperative to protect the integrity of our system.