Senators Demand Probe Into Starlink Trade Deals: Corruption Concerns Rise

Democratic senators are urging an ethics investigation into recent trade deals involving Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite internet service, citing potential corruption. Concerns center on whether the Trump administration offered tariff relief to countries in exchange for doing business with Musk’s company.

In a formal letter addressed to key federal officials, including the Attorney General and the Director of the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, the senators voiced their apprehension. They suggested that Musk might be leveraging his position and close relationship with President Trump for personal financial gain, potentially at the expense of American consumers and national foreign policy objectives.

The senators’ concerns were amplified following Musk’s presence alongside President Trump during his overseas trip to Saudi Arabia. Shortly after, Starlink received approval to operate in Saudi Arabia, coinciding with new defense and trade agreements announced by the White House. Senators Elizabeth Warren, Mark Warner, and Jeanne Shaheen emphasized Starlink’s ambitious goal of acquiring one million new customers annually. They noted that while Starlink initially faced challenges in securing agreements in emerging markets, its growth experienced a surge following President Trump’s inauguration and Musk’s role as a top advisor.

The letter highlights instances where countries seemingly received favorable trade terms after engaging with Starlink. Lesotho, for example, granted Starlink its first satellite internet service license shortly after facing high tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. Similar deals were noted with countries like India, Vietnam, and Bangladesh, all reportedly “seeking a reprieve from the threat of the Trump administration’s unpredictable tariffs.”

Citing reports from the Washington Post, the senators pointed to a meeting between a Bangladeshi official and Musk at the White House, immediately after a trade discussion. Reportedly, Musk implied that favorable trade terms were contingent on granting Starlink access to Bangladesh. Furthermore, internal documents obtained by the Post revealed officials actively encouraging nations to facilitate approvals for U.S. satellite companies, frequently mentioning Starlink by name.

The senators asserted that this situation resembles “a textbook case of corruption” and requested a thorough investigation into whether officials engaged in a quid-pro-quo arrangement, exchanging Starlink access for tariff benefits, potentially violating federal ethics laws.

The involvement of the State Department also raised concerns. The senators questioned whether officials were prioritizing Musk’s financial interests over the public interest while negotiating tariff agreements, and whether they were directed by Musk or Trump to do so. They requested an investigation by the State Department Inspector General.

Keywords: Starlink, Elon Musk, Trump administration, trade deals, corruption, ethics investigation, Democratic senators, tariffs, Saudi Arabia, SpaceX, foreign policy