U.S. administrations repeatedly asked Elon Musk to toggle Starlink access worldwide
Former U.S. administrations under Joe Biden and Donald Trump asked Elon Musk to enable or shut down Starlink in several countries to serve American foreign-policy goals.
Both the Biden and Trump administrations repeatedly approached Elon Musk to either activate or deactivate SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet in various nations, aligning the service with U.S. diplomatic objectives. Biden-era requests included disabling access for Iran-backed Hezbollah and Yemen's Houthi rebels, while also pushing for Starlink deployment in Iran during 2022 protests and in Ukraine to support its armed forces.
Four former officials said the Biden team asked for Starlink activation in Iran and Ukraine, whereas Trump-era talks centered on enabling the service in Iran after American-Israeli attacks in mid-2025 and early 2026 to help anti-government demonstrators. The disclosures, the first of their kind, underscore the reliance of U.S. foreign policy on a private satellite network and spark debate over the influence a single billionaire can wield over international security communications.
Recent limits on the military-grade Starshield variant, reportedly ordered from the White House, have also affected Ukrainian drone operations, prompting criticism from Ukrainian officials and U.S. lawmakers such as Jason Crow. Musk has said Starshield is owned and controlled by the U.S. government, with any restrictions ultimately decided by the Pentagon and the president.
Why it matters
It shows how U.S. foreign policy depends on a private satellite network, raising security and accountability concerns.
How this story developed
- Oct 14 SpaceX throttles Starlink in Ukraine, hampering drone strike operations
- Oct 16 US-imposed speed limits on Starshield reduced bandwidth for Ukrainian frontline units.
- Oct 17 Starlink service was restored following talks between the UK and US defence secretaries.
- Oct 18 Rep. Mike Turner formally requested a congressional investigation into the Starlink slowdown.
- Oct 20 U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters in India that the United States is not intentionally blocking arms shipments to Ukraine, though a missile delivery may have been delayed.
- Oct 20 Zelensky appealed to Secretary of State Marco Rubio for restoration of full Starshield access.
- Oct 20 Senator Marco Rubio told President Zelensky that U.S. policy on intelligence sharing, arms sales and restrictions has not changed.
- Oct 21 Jared Kushner joined the Oslo discussions via video link.
- Oct 21 A 160 km/h speed cap was reported to have been imposed on Starshield after Elon Musk instructed the limit following talks with President Trump.
- Oct 22 Senator Marco Rubio told reporters that the reduction in Starlink service for Ukraine was decided by SpaceX under its commercial agreement, not directed by the White House.
- Oct 22 Elon Musk clarified that the Starshield system is owned by the U.S. government and that any speed restrictions are imposed by the military.
- Oct 23 Senator Richard Blumenthal announced a Senate investigation into who authorized the Starshield bandwidth restriction for Ukraine.
- Oct 23 President Trump said Elon Musk had removed the speed limits on Starshield terminals.
- Oct 24 Ukraine's Defence Ministry reports Starshield connectivity restored after weeks of throttling.
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