Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.) called Elon Musk a “tech oligarch” Sunday, warning that the Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (NASDAQ:SPCX) CEO’s apparent influence over Ukraine’s Starlink satellite communications raised serious national security concerns after restrictions disrupted Ukrainian military operations.
Crow Demands Answers Over Musk’s Influence
“It appears to be the case, and it’s beyond disturbing to me,” Crow told CBS News’ Face the Nation, responding to questions about Musk’s ability to restrict battlefield connectivity. Crow said unelected private citizens should not make “life-and-death decisions on the battlefield” involving systems American troops and allies depend upon.
Crow criticized what he described as Musk’s unchecked authority, calling him “unaccountable” and “unelected, with zero transparency.” He accused the Trump administration of allowing the situation and said Democrats would “try to stop it.”
Crow also joined senior lawmakers demanding answers from President Donald Trump, alongside Reps. Adam Smith (D-Wash.) and Jim Himes (D-Conn.). In a separate October 25 letter to Musk, lawmakers questioned SpaceX’s involvement and demanded records clarifying who authorized the restrictions.
Musk Defends Restrictions As Ukraine Disputes Claims
Musk acknowledged restricting civilian Starlink use, alleging Ukraine’s military violated service terms through offensive drone strikes. “Using Starlink, a civilian commercial service, for offensive drone strikes to kill people has never been allowed, nor should it be,” he wrote Saturday.
However, Musk maintained that Washington controls Starshield, the military-focused service. Ukrainian officials disputed his accusations, while Reuters reported that restrictions had prevented drones traveling above approximately 100 mph from maintaining connectivity, disrupting defensive operations.
Ukraine Restores Connectivity As Lawmakers Demand Accountability
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed Saturday that Starlink and Starshield connectivity had recovered, thanking American officials and lawmakers who helped resolve the disruption.
The controversy previously prompted Republican Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) to seek a Pentagon investigation, while Democratic Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) demanded Musk testify under oath.
Trump denied ordering the restrictions, and responsibility for the separate Starshield slowdown remains disputed.
Photo courtesy: IAB Studio on Shutterstock.com
