Democratic Senators Seek Federal Probe into Trump Administration Aid for Musk’s Starlink in Foreign Trade Deals

Several Democratic senators, led by Elizabeth Warren, Jeanne Shaheen, and Mark Warner, are calling for a federal investigation into whether the Trump administration has improperly aided Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet service in gaining access to foreign markets. They allege that the administration may have used tariff negotiations as leverage to secure international deals for Starlink, citing rapid approvals in countries such as Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, India, Lesotho, and Vietnam following trade talks and meetings involving Musk. The senators argue that this potential quid pro quo, where foreign governments grant Starlink market access in exchange for tariff relief, constitutes a textbook case of corruption and violates federal ethics laws. They highlight reports indicating that U.S. embassies and the State Department have actively pushed for regulatory approval of Starlink, sometimes suggesting consequences for countries that do not comply. The letter asks the Department of Justice, Office of Government Ethics, and State Department Inspector General to investigate possible ethics violations and whether public interests were undermined for private gain. The situation raises concerns about conflicts of interest given Musk's role as a senior adviser to President Trump and the proximity between Musk and the administration during these international negotiations.