Today, Rep. Gerald E. Connolly, Ranking Member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, sent a letter to Department of State (State) Acting Inspector General Arne B. Baker requesting an investigation into reports that the White House is promoting Elon Musk’s Starlink communication services to countries facing Trump’s disastrous tariffs, and that countries want to license Starlink to promote their standing in trade talks with the U.S. This poses an obvious conflict of interest for Musk, who is currently a Special Government Employee of the United States and has so far refused to disclose the extent of his rampant conflicts of interest, given that he owns and operates numerous companies that survive on government contracts at the same time that he wields unprecedented influence over such contracts and federal spending via his leadership of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
“I write regarding recent reporting that the Department of State is advocating for foreign countries to approve licenses for Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet platform to the potential detriment of other American companies that offer low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite-based internet services,” wrote Ranking Member Connolly. “Following President Donald Trump’s tariff announcements, agency records show the Trump Administration has pushed countries to grant operating licenses to Starlink and numerous countries have reportedly worked to license Starlink with the express desire to improve their standing with the Trump Administration. Mr. Musk’s position in the Trump Administration while serving as the chief executive of Starlink’s parent company creates a conflict of interest. It signals to the American people and to countries around the world that the doors of the White House can be opened by enriching the President’s wealthiest donor and employee.”
Specifically, Ranking Member Connolly cites concerns that foreign nations feel coerced and encouraged to license Musk’s satellite communications company in their countries in return for favorable terms in President Trump’s pointless trade war.
According to the Washington Post, in the case of the Lesotho, the incentive was so prominent as to earn a specific mention in a State Department cable saying “as the government of Lesotho negotiates a trade deal with the United States, it hopes that licensing Starlink demonstrates goodwill and intent to welcome U.S. businesses.”
The concessions India offered for Starlink are especially noteworthy as just 1% of India’s consumer broadband market could result in as much as $1 billion in revenue for Musk’s company.
“Although the Department has a history of promoting U.S. companies overseas, and specifically encouraging the use of American satellite internet providers, the Trump Administration appears to have taken this a step further by asking Department employees to specifically promote Starlink. Former Secretary of State Anthony Blinken had previously instructed embassies to adopt Starlink and other satellite-based internet services, but Secretary of State Marco Rubio has gone further, ‘instructing post staffers to persuade the countries where they are to choose [satellite-based internet]’ and sending a cable to State Department staffers citing Starlink by name and stating that ‘U.S. government advocacy is essential to maintain and extend their global ‘first-mover’ advantage,’” continued Ranking Member Connolly.
Last month, Committee Democrats launched investigations into Musk’s glaring conflicts of interest and federal contracts at the White House, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Department of Defense, and the U.S. Department of Transportation.
On March 4, 2025, after repeated stonewalling by the Administration and disinterest by Committee Republicans, Ranking Member Connolly led Committee Democrats in introducing a Resolution of Inquiry to investigate Elon Musk’s extensive conflicts of interest and entrenched corruption within the Trump Administration.
On May 1, 2025, Committee Democrats sent letters to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, White House Chief of Staff Susan Wiles, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and FBI Director Kash Patel demanding Elon Musk’s SF-86 and other background investigation documents to examine his conflicts of interest and liabilities, including ties to China and Russia.
That same day, Committee Democrats sent a letter to White House Counsel David Warrington requesting documents and information regarding Elon Musk’s conflicts of interest, including his financial disclosure.
Click here to read the letter to Department of State Acting Inspector General Arne B. Baker.
