- Elon Musk’s influence in world affairs worries some officials, The Washington Post reported.
- Musk stayed in contact with foreign officials while staying away from Washington, according to the Post.
- US officials have become increasingly aware of its relationships with foreign governments.
- For more stories, visit Business Insider.
State and federal governments have poured billions into Elon Musk’s science and business ventures and gifted the tech CEO with lucrative and exclusive government contracts for the past 20 years. But some officials now fear Musk has too much influence in foreign affairs and are seeking to limit his influence in Washington by funding his business rivals, according to a Washington Post report.
“Elon, The Everywhere,” a White House official told The Post. “He believes he is such a gift to humanity that he doesn’t need guardrails, which he knows best.”
While Musk has publicly feuded with President Joe Biden over the past year, he’s also stayed in touch with more foreign prime ministers and presidents as his disapproval from Washington becomes more public, sources close to Musk told the Post. .
Musk has publicly met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, and other foreign leaders, raising conflict of interest issues. For example, after Eurasia Group Chairman Ian Bremmer claimed that Musk met with Russian President Vladimir Putin – which Musk denies – he began promoting the idea that Ukraine should concede Crimea to Russia, a popular talking point among Putin loyalists and other Russian officials.
Musk declined to comment on the Post.
Sources also told the Post that they are concerned about national security issues related to Musk’s numerous business dealings.
According to a Bloomberg report published Friday, the Biden administration is looking for ways to investigate Musk’s $44 billion deal to buy Twitter because of the multiple foreign entities that invested in the deal.
Investors include Prince Alwaleed bin Talal of Saudi Arabia, Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund, and Binance Holdings, founded by Chinese businessman Changpeng Zhao.
Internet network Starlink could also receive national security scrutiny after officials felt uncomfortable with Musk’s Russia-Ukraine peace plan, according to unnamed sources who spoke to Bloomberg. .
Government officials have beefed up Musk’s competitors in an effort to reduce their dependence on his companies, according to the Post report. That includes funding Space X competitors, like Boeing’s Starliner, encouraging more electric vehicle makers to compete with Tesla, and looking to replace Starlink in Ukraine.
“It’s not just SpaceX. There are other entities that we can definitely partner with when it comes to providing Ukraine with what it needs on the battlefield,” a Pentagon press secretary said on October 14.
The Post report, however, notes that there is still great interest from the US government to work with Musk.
“One thing is clear: Musk thinks he knows best and will do what he wants — and that can be good and that can be bad,” a congressman told the Post.
A representative for Musk did not immediately respond to Insider’s request for comment.