WASHINGTON — Elon Musk, the billionaire founder of Tesla and SpaceX, joined President-elect Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on a phone call Tuesday, marking the first direct conversation between the two leaders since Trump’s election. Musk’s unexpected participation in the call has sparked questions about his growing influence in U.S. politics, as well as his role in shaping foreign policy during the upcoming Trump administration.
Reports from Axios and other media outlets indicate that Musk’s presence on the call was not planned. According to sources, Musk happened to walk into the room as Trump and Zelenskyy were speaking and was immediately invited by Trump to join the conversation. While the Ukrainian president’s spokesperson described the call as “positive,” neither Zelenskyy nor Musk provided any specifics about the discussion. Zelenskyy later posted on social media that he had an “excellent call” with Trump, congratulating him on his “historic landslide victory,” though he did not mention Musk’s participation.
Musk’s appearance in the call is significant because of the pivotal role his company, SpaceX, has played in Ukraine’s ability to communicate during the ongoing war with Russia. Since Russia’s 2022 invasion, much of Ukraine’s mobile infrastructure has been destroyed, and Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service has become a vital tool for maintaining communications. During the call, Zelenskyy noted that he was using Starlink, and Musk reportedly promised to send additional Starlink terminals to support Ukraine’s efforts.
Neither Musk, Trump, nor Zelenskyy’s spokespeople immediately responded to requests for further comment.
Musk’s Growing Influence in the Trump Administration
Musk’s unexpected involvement in this diplomatic exchange underscores his increasing influence in U.S. politics. In his victory speech, Trump referred to Musk as “a star,” a comment that highlights the billionaire’s close ties to the president-elect. Musk, who was a vocal supporter of Trump during the 2024 election, reportedly invested over $100 million to help secure Trump’s victory.
Musk’s growing prominence in the political realm raises concerns about potential conflicts of interest. His companies, particularly SpaceX, are deeply intertwined with U.S. national security. SpaceX has received more than $15 billion in government contracts over the last decade, including deals with NASA and the Department of Defense. Musk has also publicly shared his ambitions for space exploration, including plans to establish human colonies on Mars. Given the significant role his companies play in U.S. defense and space programs, Musk’s close relationship with Trump could present ethical and political challenges moving forward.
The Geopolitical Ramifications of Musk’s Involvement
Musk’s involvement in the Ukraine conflict, particularly through the Starlink service, has raised serious geopolitical questions. While Starlink has provided crucial communications support for Ukrainian forces, Musk has faced backlash for his decision to restrict access to the service at key moments. He initially requested that the Pentagon cover the cost of providing Starlink to Ukraine and later suggested that further use of the service could escalate the war into a global conflict. These actions have raised concerns about the power a private individual—especially one with Musk’s level of influence—can have over international diplomacy and military strategy.
Further complicating the situation are reports that Musk has been in regular contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin since late 2022. According to The Wall Street Journal, Musk and Putin’s discussions have spanned a variety of topics, including business matters and geopolitical tensions. These interactions have raised alarm among U.S. lawmakers, particularly in light of Russian interference in past U.S. elections. Musk’s ownership of X (formerly Twitter) and his personal promotion of pro-Trump content on the platform during the 2020 election have intensified scrutiny of his relationship with Russia and its leadership.
Rep. Jim Himes, the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, voiced concerns about Musk’s potential conflicts of interest. “We need to understand what the intelligence community knows about Musk’s interactions with Putin,” Himes said. “This isn’t just about security clearances—this is about ensuring that private interests do not compromise U.S. national security.”
Calls for Investigation into Musk’s Ties to Putin
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson has also expressed concerns regarding Musk’s communications with Putin. Reports have suggested that Putin asked Musk not to activate Starlink services over Taiwan, allegedly as a favor to Chinese President Xi Jinping. Nelson has called for an investigation into these reports, stating that if Musk has been in frequent contact with Putin, it could have significant implications for U.S. national security. “If these reports are true, it would be deeply concerning,” Nelson said. “Especially for agencies like NASA, the Department of Defense, and the intelligence community.”
The possibility that Musk’s business dealings and foreign relationships might influence U.S. policy—particularly on national security matters—has raised alarm among lawmakers. As Musk’s influence continues to grow, the intersection of his personal and professional interests with U.S. government contracts will likely remain a focal point of scrutiny.
What’s Next for Musk’s Role in U.S. Foreign Policy?
Musk’s participation in the Trump-Zelenskyy call is just the latest sign of his expanding role in U.S. diplomacy and foreign policy. As Ukraine continues to fight Russian aggression, Musk’s Starlink service will likely remain central to the conflict, placing Musk at the heart of international discussions about the future of the war.
What remains unclear is how Musk’s growing influence in U.S. politics will affect long-term policy decisions, particularly in regard to Ukraine, Russia, and national security. As a private citizen with significant business interests tied to government contracts, Musk’s position in the incoming Trump administration is likely to be closely monitored by both domestic and foreign officials. Whether Musk’s involvement in high-level discussions will lead to lasting changes in U.S. foreign policy remains to be seen, but his increasing prominence is certain to have far-reaching consequences in the years ahead.