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Drudge Retort: The Other Side of the News
Thursday, December 19, 2024

A new investigation from The New York Times suggests that SpaceX founder Elon Musk has not been reporting his travel activities and other information to the Department of Defense as required by his top-secret clearance.

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"Why Musk Doesn't Have Access to SpaceX's Biggest Government Secrets. Executives haven't sought higher security clearance for the CEO to avoid questions about his drug use and contact with foreign officials" ðŸ'€

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-- Mehdi Hasan (@mehdirhasan.bsky.social) December 16, 2024 at 9:25 PM

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More from the article...

... According to the newspaper, concerns about Musk's reporting practices have led to reviews by three different bodies within the military; the Air Force, the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security, and the Defense Department Office of Inspector General.

However, none of the federal agencies cited in the Times article has accused Musk of disclosing classified material.

The Times reports that Musk had a mid-level security clearance until 2018, at which point SpaceX applied for a top-secret clearance for its chief executive. SpaceX performs a number of functions for the US government, both civil and military branches. Among its most secretive activities are launching classified satellites for the National Reconnaissance Office and providing encrypted communications and observational activities with its Starshield satellites. ...



#1 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-12-18 03:17 PM | Reply

Related?

Musk's Alleged Russia Contacts Worry Air Force's Kendall
www.bnnbloomberg.ca

... Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall has told Democratic senators that he shares their security concerns over Elon Musk's reported contacts with Russian leaders but added that the Pentagon has adequate competition in its space programs to prevent over-reliance on the billionaire's SpaceX.

"The Air Force takes security matters very seriously, and I share your concerns," Kendall wrote Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Jack Reed in a Dec. 13 letter obtained by Bloomberg News.

Kendall didn't elaborate on his worries, and the bulk of his letter emphasized the competition for satellite launch contracts awarded by the Space Force and the Space Development Agency, which is managing the accelerated launch of hundreds of surveillance and communications satellites into low-earth orbit.

The senators wrote Kendall last month expressing alarm over an October Wall Street Journal report that Musk "had multiple, high level conversations with Russian President Vladmir Putin as early as 2022 and sustained contact with high-level Russian officials, including Putin's deputy chief of staff, Sergei Kiriyenko."

Russia has denied the conversations took place. Musk ridiculed the Journal story without denying it. ...


#2 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-12-18 03:19 PM | Reply

Of course, he isn't. That would restrict his ability to leverage his position for personal gain.

#3 | Posted by jpw at 2024-12-18 06:52 PM | Reply

@#3 ... That would restrict his ability to leverage his position for personal gain. ...

Yup.

A goal he seems to be using Pres-elect Trump for.

Does Pres-elect Trump know how he may be being used by Mr Musk?


Or is the apparent unfettered adulation of Pres-elect Trump by Mr Musk not noticed by Pres-elect Trump?

#4 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-12-18 08:21 PM | Reply

I'm sure Trump is well aware all of his relationships are transactional.

#5 | Posted by sentinel at 2024-12-19 11:24 AM | Reply

Why is this a surprise?
Rules, laws, even decorum are a pesky nuisance to Trump and Musk, to be ignored at best.
And who will stop them? Certainly not the feckless, boot-licking Republicans in Congress.
All they care about is not getting primary'd, the cowardly bass-tehrds.

#6 | Posted by e1g1 at 2024-12-19 08:04 PM | Reply

that the Pentagon has adequate competition in its space programs to prevent over-reliance on the billionaire's SpaceX

SpaceX is the only current program which is capable of delivering the quick-launch LEO cape that is a key priority for the Space Force. Boeing was once viewed as an opportunity to diversify the field to ensure a competitive bidding process, ensure some redundancy for the continuation of operations if one org is over tasked, underperforming, or otherwise unable to perform.

It is true that there are a handful of other alternatives with the most recognizable name being Bezo's Blue Origin, but it is a sad fact that nothing is currently as reliable for high value, high priority assets as SpaceX launch systems.

#7 | Posted by GOnoles92 at 2024-12-20 02:32 AM | Reply

I'm sure Trump is well aware all of his relationships are transactional.

#5 | Posted by sentinel

The problem is the MAGA idiots aren't aware.

And when Trump uses his "transactional" relationships to enrich himself at the expense of the country, they'll get pissed at anyone but themselves for being so stupid.

#8 | Posted by jpw at 2024-12-20 02:38 AM | Reply

When I see these frequent violations, the same question always comes to mind.... Who's going to do anything about it?

#9 | Posted by Whatsleft at 2024-12-20 05:37 AM | Reply

Musk?

#10 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis at 2024-12-20 06:21 AM | Reply

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