Elon Musk and Putin have "regular contact": WSJ
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Elon Musk — the world's richest man and a major contractor to the U.S. government — "has been in regular contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin since late 2022," The Wall Street Journal reports.
Why it matters: Musk's conversations could foreshadow U.S. reengagement with Putin if former President Trump wins the White House, given "Trump's expressed desire to cut a deal over major fault lines such as the war in Ukraine," The Journal notes.
- Musk is one of Trump's biggest donors and is said to be under consideration for a cabinet position if the Republican wins the White House next month.
Catch up quick: Musk's company, Space X, has played a significant role in the Russia-Ukraine war, and has faced scrutiny for its handling of certain situations.
- SpaceX provides internet access to Ukraine through its Starlink satellite terminals. The system was crucial for Kyiv's government and military communications, after Russian attacks ravaged the country's infrastructure.
- The U.S. Department of Defense eventually agreed to foot the bill for Ukraine's Starlink access.
- Earlier this year, House Democrats launched an investigation into whether Russia's forces were also using Musk's company's satellites.
Flashback: SpaceX thwarted a Ukrainian drone attack on Russian military ships back in 2022 by refusing to activate the satellites that Ukrainian forces needed to carry the attack out.
Go deeper: Kremlin refutes Trump denial on sending Putin COVID tests
