Federal agencies reportedly scrutinized Eastern European visitors to the tech mogul’s properties for possible “influence”
US federal agencies investigated foreign nationals visiting Elon Musk’s properties during the administration of former President Joe Biden, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter.
The investigation, conducted by the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice from 2022 to 2023, reportedly did not result in any charges. They focused on individuals from Eastern Europe and other regions “who might have been trying to influence” Musk, the outlet said.
The tech tycoon has access to classified US information through his companies’ government contracts but was reportedly not granted clearance for some of the most sensitive secrets tied to SpaceX. In 2022, he stepped into national politics by acquiring Twitter – now known as X – whose management he accused of suppressing conservative viewpoints on the platform.
In 2024, Musk used his wealth and clout to support Donald Trump’s bid to reclaim the presidency. Until recently, he served as a special member of the Trump administration with a mandate to reduce government waste. Their alliance appeared to unravel last week after they exchanged insults online over a crucial spending bill.
The WSJ claimed that Musk’s repeated interactions with non-Americans raised concerns among his political allies. A source within the political action committee that Musk formed to support Trump told the newspaper that staff “had to institute extensive vetting to keep foreigners out.”
Prior to Trump’s election victory last November, the newspaper also alleged that Musk had been in covert contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin – which it characterized as a potential national security issue.
Both Musk and the Kremlin have denied the report. Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov called it “absolute lies,” stating last October that the only conversation between Putin and Musk was a single phone call years ago regarding technological innovation.
Following his fallout with Trump, some Democratic officials speculated that Musk – who has said he previously voted for Democratic candidates – might shift his support away from the Republican Party. Musk, however, has floated the idea of launching a third party representing “the 80% in the middle.”
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