WP Exclusive: Latest Trump Admin Pay-to-Play Favors Musk: Govt pushes nations facing tariffs to approve Musk’s Starlink

[Anonymous]

It looks like Musk's $260+ million investment in Trump is paying off in big ways. A WP investigation indicates that the State Dept. and US embassies are pushing various countries to clear the way for US satellite companies--in particular, Starlink--in return for an implicit understanding that they will get more favorable terms when it comes to US tariffs.

Less than two weeks after President Donald Trump announced 50 percent tariffs on goods from the tiny African nation of Lesotho, the country’s communications regulator held a meeting with representatives of Starlink. The satellite business, owned by billionaire and Trump adviser Elon Musk’s SpaceX company, had been seeking access to customers in Lesotho. But it was not until Trump unveiled the tariffs and called for negotiations over trade deals that leaders of the country of roughly 2 million people awarded Musk’s firm the nation’s first-ever satellite internet service license, slated to last for 10 years. The decision drew a mention in an internal State Department memo obtained by The Washington Post, which states: “As the government of Lesotho negotiates a trade deal with the United States, it hopes that licensing Starlink demonstrates goodwill and intent to welcome U.S. businesses.”

A series of internal government messages obtained by The Post reveal how U.S. embassies and the State Department have pushed nations to clear hurdles for U.S. satellite companies, often mentioning Starlink by name. The documents do not show that the Trump team has explicitly demanded favors for Starlink in exchange for lower tariffs. But they do indicate that Secretary of State Marco Rubio has increasingly instructed officials to push for regulatory approvals for Musk’s satellite firm at a moment when the White House is calling for wide-ranging talks on trade.

Countries like India, Somalia, Congo, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Vietnam have also facilitated Starlink’s entry, possibly to mitigate U.S. tariff impacts. While not explicitly tied to tariff reductions, countries like India and Cambodia view Starlink approvals as a way to ease trade negotiations with the Trump administration.

Starlink’s global expansion could yield billions, with India alone potentially generating $1 billion annually from just 1% market share.

U.S. pushes nations facing tariffs to approve Musk’s Starlink, cables show
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/05/07/elon-musk-starlink-trump-tariffs/?mod=djemCapitalJournalDaybreak

[Anonymous]

India has a pretty robust cellular network, are there really paying customers that need starlink service?

[Anonymous]

Grifty grifty grift--Elon is lining his pockets for generations. Plus the news about DOGE putting together the comprehensive national citizen dataset including taxpayer data, medical diagnoses and stuff...

[Anonymous]

Part of the reason Elon Musk was so deadset on gutting USAID in the most disruptive and unprofessional way possible was that the Inspector General had the audacity to open an investigation into irregularities on Starlink service provision in Ukraine for a contract he had from them. Shoving Starlink down countries' throats is asking for trouble.

https://oig.usaid.gov/node/6814

[Anonymous]

The USG now exists entirely to funnel money to Trump and his cronies

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Part of the reason Elon Musk was so deadset on gutting USAID in the most disruptive and unprofessional way possible was that the Inspector General had the audacity to open an investigation into irregularities on Starlink service provision in Ukraine for a contract he had from them. Shoving Starlink down countries' throats is asking for trouble.

https://oig.usaid.gov/node/6814

Oh my God, stop. OIG was investigating USAID. If Musk was somehow benefiting from USAID mishandling Starlink, he would keep USAID open.
All the OIGs in nlgovernment were shut down by DOGE regardless.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Part of the reason Elon Musk was so deadset on gutting USAID in the most disruptive and unprofessional way possible was that the Inspector General had the audacity to open an investigation into irregularities on Starlink service provision in Ukraine for a contract he had from them. Shoving Starlink down countries' throats is asking for trouble.

https://oig.usaid.gov/node/6814

Oh my God, stop. OIG was investigating USAID. If Musk was somehow benefiting from USAID mishandling Starlink, he would keep USAID open.
All the OIGs in nlgovernment were shut down by DOGE regardless.

USAID was investigating starlink. OIG investigates all federal agencies as they are the real ones task with finding fraud, waste, and abuse. Musk stood up a redundant process and claimed brilliance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Part of the reason Elon Musk was so deadset on gutting USAID in the most disruptive and unprofessional way possible was that the Inspector General had the audacity to open an investigation into irregularities on Starlink service provision in Ukraine for a contract he had from them. Shoving Starlink down countries' throats is asking for trouble.

https://oig.usaid.gov/node/6814

Oh my God, stop. OIG was investigating USAID. If Musk was somehow benefiting from USAID mishandling Starlink, he would keep USAID open.
All the OIGs in nlgovernment were shut down by DOGE regardless.

USAID was investigating starlink. OIG investigates all federal agencies as they are the real ones task with finding fraud, waste, and abuse. Musk stood up a redundant process and claimed brilliance.

+1 OIG was investigating Starlink's contract paid by USAID for services in Ukraine which had irregularities in its performance. If you can't see why that would make Musk unhappy, then you're missing the truly obvious.

[Anonymous]

Lol--all of those who talked about Elon Musk volunteering his time for DOGE.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lol--all of those who talked about Elon Musk volunteering his time for DOGE.

He is the worst of humanity.

[Anonymous]

He tried to embed Starlink at FAA too...one of the agencies DOGE was looking to cut staff from.

Elon: Take my Starlink or lose your job!

https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2025-03-04/leaders-question-faas-potential-pivot-starlink

[Anonymous]

American democracy -- the best money can buy.

[Anonymous]

Selling out our country to a foreigner ripping us off

[Anonymous]

This administration is just one giant grift!

[Anonymous]

Why exactly does MAGA like this? And why do they like Musk having all their personal data?

Same folks who want government out of their lives want Musk all up in their personal business. Go figure.