Rubio: Musk Controls Starlink Access, Not White House
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio clarifies that Elon Musk, not the White House, manages Ukraine’s Starlink access.
2 min read
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has clarified that Elon Musk, not the White House, controls Ukraine’s access to Starlink, a satellite internet service provided by SpaceX. During a recent trip to India, Rubio addressed reports that Musk had slowed down a military-grade version of Starlink used by Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.
Private Contract Over Government Control
Rubio emphasized that the decision to limit Starlink speeds was governed by a private commercial contract, not by any government order. He stated, “The bottom line is that that is governed by a private commercial contract as to how their stuff can be used and what speeds they’ll allow it to be used at.”
Rubio also reiterated that no one in the White House ordered the slowdown, and that the issue has since been resolved. “We have nothing to do with that. Nobody ordered that Starlink speed to be slowed down,” he added. “It sort of happened, but my understanding is it’s been restored.”
Confusion Amidst Reports
According to the Wall Street Journal, Musk had ordered the slowdown of Starlink services for Ukraine, which led to confusion within the Trump administration. The newspaper cited U.S. officials and others familiar with the matter, claiming that Musk made the decision, not the White House. However, the White House has denied any involvement in the restriction.
Rubio also dismissed claims by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that the slowdown was ordered by the White House. “I’m not sure Zelenskyy knows what he’s talking about, but it wasn’t deliberate,” he said.
Terms of Service and Private Decisions
On Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth echoed Rubio’s stance, stating that “there are terms of service that ultimately need to be complied to, and that’s where Starlink has the option to make those decisions.” This highlights the role of private companies in managing their services, even in the context of global conflicts.
The situation underscores the complexity of international relations when private entities are involved, with government officials navigating the line between public responsibility and private enterprise.
Source: Breitbart
