ICYMI: Shaheen Joins Senior Senate Colleagues in Demanding Investigation into Elon Musk’s Alleged Abuse of White House Position for Personal Gain
**Shaheen introduced new legislation last month that would prevent Special Government Employees like Musk from receiving federal contracts or grant payments to companies they own**
(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee and a top member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, on Friday joined several of her high-ranking Senate officials in sending a letter to President Trump to demand an investigation into recent reports that Elon Musk—senior White House advisor and Special Government Employee—has used his role to advance personal business interests abroad. In the letter led by U.S. Senator Mark Warner, Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, the lawmakers reference an alarming pattern in which Musk allegedly utilized influence in the policy making process to pressure foreign governments—including India, South Africa, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Pakistan and Lesotho—into granting favorable treatment to his satellite internet provider Starlink in apparent exchange for U.S. policy concessions.
Last month, Shaheen unveiled new legislation that would prevent federal contracts or grant payments to companies owned or controlled by any person who became a Special Government Employee on or after January 1, 2025.
The Senators wrote, in part: “Public servants must serve Americans, not their own bank accounts. These alleged actions are an egregious breach of public trust, degrade our credibility with allies and partners, and potentially violate U.S. laws.”
The letter details instances of Musk meeting with foreign leaders – including those from India and Bangladesh – inside the White House complex and the Blair House, shortly before their governments fast-tracked regulatory approvals for Starlink. In one example, the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission issued what was described as “the swiftest recommendation” in its history for a Starlink license shortly after officials requested a delay in U.S.-imposed tariffs and met with Musk on White House grounds.
The Senators continued: “The White House and the Blair House are not merely buildings – they are enduring symbols of American democracy and service. To use this public property for personal enrichment is not only a betrayal of the public trust – it also sends a dangerous signal that power is not a solemn responsibility, but an asset to be exploited for personal gain.”
They concluded: “Brazen corruption of that sort is seen in despotic regimes, not the United States of America. We call for you to investigate these claims about Musk and to make public any findings. And we call for an accounting to Congress of Musk and his associates’ use of government positions for personal benefit.”
Click here to view the letter.
In addition to Shaheen and Warner, the letter was signed by Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ranking Member, Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; Ron Wyden (D-OR), Ranking Member, Senate Finance Committee; Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair, Senate Appropriations Committee; Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ranking Member, Senate Budget Committee; Jack Reed (D-RI), Ranking Member, Senate Armed Services Committee; Chris Coons (D-DE), Ranking Member, Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense; Brian Schatz (D-HI), Ranking Member, Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs; Ed Markey (D-MA), Ranking Member, Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship; Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Ranking Member, Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works; Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ranking Member, Senate Agriculture Committee; and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ranking Member, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations.
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