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Trump’s Secret Call Exposed as His Desperate Denial Crumbles
The Daily Beast • • nation
Key Points:
- Former President Donald Trump secretly contacted Elon Musk to demand the removal of speed restrictions on Starshield, a SpaceX satellite system critical to Ukraine's defense against Russia.
- The speed cap had severely limited Ukraine’s ability to deploy offensive drones and interceptors, but was lifted shortly after Trump's call, restoring much of the system's functionality.
- The Trump administration initially denied involvement in the throttling, with officials offering contradictory explanations, while Musk clarified that the U.S. government controls the network and sets usage limits.
- The slowdown occurred amid strained U.S.-Ukraine relations following criticism of Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian infrastructure, and coincided with Trump's efforts to protect a deal to import Russian diesel.
- The incident has prompted a congressional investigation into the Pentagon’s reliance on SpaceX for military communications and the national security risks posed by the satellite interference.
