Trump and Musk Clash Over Starlink Access for Ukraine

President Donald Trump and Elon Musk traded accusations over who restricted Ukraine's access to military-grade Starlink satellite services, which Ukrainian forces rely on for intercepting Russian missiles, with both denying responsibility amid conflicting reports. The dispute follows Musk's March 2025 promise that Starlink would never be used as a bargaining chip, while critics note SpaceX's heavy dependence on federal contracts and regulatory approvals. The ambiguity provides both men plausible deniability, potentially pressuring Ukraine into a settlement by weakening its defenses. The episode echoes a pattern seen in Russia, where oligarchs traded political independence for wealth under President Vladimir Putin's 2000 bargain. Musk's retreat from challenging Trump, coupled with his financial gains, raises questions about whether political obedience is becoming the price of commercial success in America.