The US government refuses to back down from supporting Elon Musk
The US government's complex relationship with Elon Musk goes beyond condemnations They heavily rely on SpaceX, making it challenging for them to sever ties with the billionaire His controversial endorsements range from conspiracy theories to antisemitic tropes
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It is effortless to criticize Elon Musk. However, severing ties with him would prove extremely challenging, particularly for the US government. They find themselves in a codependent situation with this billionaire, who has transitioned from supporting baseless conspiracy theories to promoting anti-Semitic clichés.
NASA relies on his rockets, the Pentagon relies on his satellites, the government requires access to his network of chargers for electric vehicles, and officials rely on his social media platform, now known as X, for communication with the public.
In response to Musk's endorsement of an antisemitic conspiracy theory on X, the White House expressed their strong condemnation of such hateful and racist promotion. Spokesman Andrew Bates stated, "This goes against our fundamental American values." For the complete statement, Bates shared it on X.
The statement aligns with the outrage surrounding Musk's promotion of an antisemitic stereotype. Numerous companies, including Warner Bros. Discovery, the parent company of CNN, have announced their decision to temporarily stop advertising on X.
There have been demands for Musk to face suspension from the publicly traded company he acquired for $44 billion, as he subsequently removed its measures to combat misinformation and hate speech.
On Monday, the White House announced it would be joining X rival Threads, which is owned by Meta, as backlash to Musk intensifies.
Musk is more than just the company formerly known as Twitter
The New York Times astutely highlights that despite the White House's strong disapproval of Musk's viewpoints, the government's national security infrastructure and space initiatives are heavily reliant on Musk's SpaceX. David Sanger and Eric Lipton assert that it is unusual for the U.S. government to rely so heavily on the technological contributions of a single, albeit temperamental, technologist whose beliefs it has openly condemned. However, according to officials within the administration, there are currently limited alternative options, leaving them with no choice but to continue depending on SpaceX for the foreseeable future.
During a White House press briefing on Monday, John Kirby, the National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications, highlighted the significance of SpaceX's offerings. When questioned about the government's dependence on Elon Musk, Kirby emphasized that it would be unwise to overlook the innovation present in the private sector. He further stated that there are no intentions to address concerns regarding Musk's rhetoric by altering the level of support his companies provide to the national security establishment.
And then Kirby added: "But that doesnt mean that we accept or agree with or condone in any way that antisemitic rhetoric that he pushed."
Reliant on SpaceX
The Times reporters claimed that NASA has no other option but to rely on SpaceX for the rockets' launches.
Recently, the Pentagon reached an agreement with SpaceX to purchase Starshield, a communication system that is built on the Starlink system consisting of thousands of satellites. The military of Ukraine heavily relies on Starlink for internet access and battlefield communications.
A year ago, Musk faced backlash for complaining about the cost of that service. In June, the Pentagon announced that it would fund Starlink in Ukraine.
When asked about Musk and the Pentagon's reliance on his companies, a defense official stated, "The department condemns all forms of anti-Semitism."
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The payment amount from the government to SpaceX has been in the billions of dollars, but the exact payment for Starlink services in Ukraine remains undisclosed. In September, Pentagon spokesman Gen. Pat Ryder stated that while the military acknowledges paying for Starlink services in Ukraine, specific details and capabilities of these services cannot be disclosed due to operational security reasons.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is currently in Ukraine, engaging in discussions with officials regarding US aid to the country. Notably, he has been actively sharing updates and images of his visit on X.
CNN's Chris Isidore sheds light on the significant financial gains Elon Musk has attained through his business ventures involving the government, particularly SpaceX. It is worth mentioning that NASA's loan played a pivotal role in rescuing the company.
Taxpayers provided subsidies, such as loans and tax credits, to support Tesla, Elon Musk's electric car company, and promote the adoption of electric vehicles. Additionally, a significant portion of Tesla's revenue is generated through the sale of regulatory carbon credits to other car manufacturers, enabling them to meet emissions regulations in certain states.
Furthermore, Tesla's charging infrastructure plays a crucial role in the national electric vehicle infrastructure. Earlier this year, the White House announced that Tesla would make a portion of its charging network accessible to electric vehicles manufactured by other companies, following extensive negotiations.
It all means that while Musks words are rightly being condemned and companies are making the point of suspending advertising on X, he is very much woven into the fabric of the country.
