Elon Musk Has Been in Close Contact with Vladimir Putin: Report

Mar. 15, 2025

Elon Musk; Vladimir Putin.Photo:ALEXEY DRUZHININ/AFP via Getty; Chesnot/Getty

ALEXEY DRUZHININ/AFP via Getty; Chesnot/Getty

Elon Muskhas reportedly been in close contact with the Russian PresidentVladimir Putinover the past two years.

According toThe Wall Street Journal, the X CEO, 53, and Putin, 72, have spoken about topics including “business and geopolitical tensions,” along with personal topics — the former causing national security concerns.

One of Musk and Putin’s alleged conversations involved the Russian leader asking Musk to refrain from activating the internet service over Taiwan on his Starlink satellite as a favor to Chinese President Xi Jinping in late 2023. Russia’s alleged request was made as a way to benefit trade relationships with China, the report says.

Donald Trump and Elon Musk in 2024.Kevin Dietsch/Getty

Kevin Dietsch/Getty

Russian disinformation has infiltrated X this election season, allegedly pushing voters toward Republican candidateDonald Trump, who bragged about his relationship with Putin amid the Ukraine invasion.

The Kremlin reportedly used social media accounts and coded messages to quietly persuade voters away from supporting Ukraine and toward supporting Russia instead. That further complicates the Musk-Putin connections, as the presidential election is less than two weeks away.

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The billionaire, who is the richest person in the world, has played an increasingly partisan role in the 2024 election, becoming an outspoken mega-donor for Trump, 78, after saying onXin March 2024 that he wouldn’t contribute to “either candidate for US President.”

According toReuters, Musk spent $44 million in the first two weeks of October, donating to his pro-Trump PAC.

Elon Musk in 2024.Anna Moneymaker/Getty

Anna Moneymaker/Getty

On Saturday, Oct. 19,Musk announced he was giving away $1 million a dayto Trump supporters every day up until the election.

Those interested in winning need to sign a petition for Musk’s “pro-Trump political action committee” and must be registered to vote in swing states Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, or Wisconsin.

Questions of the legalitysurrounding Musk’s giveaway have risen since his announcement, with the Justice Department issuing him a warning.

source: people.com