--- title: "Biden Administration Reportedly Considering National Security Review of Elon Musk" description: "Bloomberg reports that the Biden administration might perform a national security review of Elon Musk, his Twitter deal, and Starlink." date: "2022-10-21" modified: "2022-10-21" authors: - name: "Maggie Harrison Dupré" job_title: "Senior Staff Writer" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/mharrison" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/national-security-review-elon-musk" categories: - "Elon Musk" - "Future Society" - "The Industrialists" tags: - "elon musk" - "national security" - "the digest" - "us government" --- # Biden Administration Reportedly Considering National Security Review of Elon Musk ![Bloomberg reports that the Biden administration might perform a national security review of Elon Musk, his Twitter deal, and Starlink.]() *\Image: Michael A. McCoy/Getty Images\* ## Security Risk Following Elon Musk's [ill-advised foray]() into Twitter-mediated foreign policy, [*Bloomberg* reports that]() the Biden administration might perform a national security review of the mercurial billionaire as well as some of his business ventures. Sources told *Bloomberg* that the involved officials, which includes members of the intelligence community, are particularly concerned about Musk's threat to cut off Starlink access for Ukrainians as well as his plot to buy Twitter with the help of foreign investors, including [Saudi Arabian]() leader Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, the [crypto exchange Binance](), and [Qatar's sovereign wealth fund](). You know, the kind of folks that the US government would love to see have a stake in a mainstream social media platform. There are no set-in-stone plans to investigate Musk just yet; officials are reportedly still weighing their options. But considering Musk's recent antics, we'd not be surprised by an eventual national security review. ## Twitter Chaos To recap, the billionaire has been [extra chaotic]() as of late, [taking to Twitter]() earlier this month to spell out why he thinks that Ukraine should give in to Russia's demands, and hand over control over Crimea. Days later, he complained that [providing Ukraine]() with Starlink internet terminals and service — which has become the embattled nation's primary means of internet access — had become too expensive, days after one Ukrainian official told him to "f\*\*\* off. " Musk's tumultuous Twitter bid is only adding to the chaos. [*The Washington Post* reported]() earlier today that, if he were to acquire the social site, which is looking increasingly likely, Musk plans to cut Twitter's workforce by an astonishing 75 percent — a move that could throw the platform into disinformation, hate speech, and [spam bot]() hell. ## Under Review That all being said, Musk also happens to be the world's richest person, and has extensive ties with a number of US government institutions, especially when it comes to NASA and SpaceX's collaboration on exploring space. For now, we still don't know whether the government will actually carry out a national security review — but perhaps it's only a matter of time. **READ MORE:** *[Twitter Tumbles as US Weighs Security Reviews for Musk Deals]()* \[*Bloomberg*\] **More on Elon's foreign policy:** *[Elon Musk Warns "Civilization Is Over" If Ukraine Doesn't Give in to Russia]()* ## Author At Futurism, I've reported extensively on the rise of AI as a cultural and business force shaping the media industry, and more broadly how those dynamics are changing how we all consume and share information and relate to one another. I'm also fascinated by public health policy and ethics, the role of emerging tech in politics and governance — and the powerful people and forces at those intersections — climate change, and the environment. My investigation on Sports Illustrated's use of AI-generated authors with fictional biographies won a 2024 Mirror Award for "Best Story on Media Coverage of Artificial Intelligence in Journalism and the Media" from Syracuse University's SI Newhouse School, I contributed to Niemen Lab's 2025 Predictions for Journalism series, and I've discussed my work for Futurism during appearances on NPR, CNN, the BBC, the CBC, and more. I grew up in rural Pennsylvania and attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where I played Division I field hockey for the Minutewomen as a midfielder. Since then, I've lived in New Orleans, Louisiana and Manhattan, New York. I spend my free time running, reading, perusing archival fashion, and searching for the world’s best negroni. I also have a debonair tuxedo cat, Westley, who's named after "The Princess Bride." ### Author social links [Bluesky]()