Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

BumRushDaShow

(150,794 posts)
Mon Apr 7, 2025, 02:55 PM Apr 7

Exclusive: House Democrats probe Elon Musk's conflicts of interest with NASA

Source: Axios

Updated 3 hours ago


House Democrats Monday launched an investigation into potential conflicts of interest between NASA and Elon Musk, who has inserted himself into the federal government under President Trump.

Why it matters: The billionaire's SpaceX is one of the agency's largest private sector contractors, and Musk has been overhauling federal spending at the helm of DOGE.

  • Rep Maxwell Alejandro Frost (D-Fla.) and Rep. Gery Connolly (D-Va.) sent a letter to Iris Lan, NASA's chief legal officer, requesting information and documents by April 21.
  • They asked how NASA is ensuring that Musk isn't exploiting the agency to enrich himself and his companies, which they said would violate ethics rules for his position as a special government employee.


  • What they're saying: "At NASA, where Mr. Musk has both benefited from significant contracts and has the potential to receive vast amounts of new business, his defiance of recusal laws and control of operations directly benefit his businesses," the letter said.

  • "The known conflicts of interest presented by this arrangement are illegal and must be addressed immediately."
  • SpaceX didn't immediately respond to Axios' request for comment.
  • They requested a list of actions NASA is taking to ensure Musk isn't permitted access to information that would give his businesses an advantage over competitors
  • .

    By the numbers: SpaceX has received more than $15 billion in funding from NASA, the Washington Post reported last month.

  • The agency has slated more than $525 million to SpaceX since President Trump took office and Musk began slashing other federal funding.


  • Read more: https://www.axios.com/2025/04/07/house-democrats-investigation-elon-musk-nasa-space-x-conflicts
    4 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
    Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
    Exclusive: House Democrats probe Elon Musk's conflicts of interest with NASA (Original Post) BumRushDaShow Apr 7 OP
    Duh............. Lovie777 Apr 7 #1
    Surprise. Did anybody really think Eloon gave Doanld $260 million for nothing? KPN Apr 7 #2
    Great that Dems are investigating vapor2 Apr 7 #3
    They should be probing his conflicts of interest with the Pentagon. Autumn Apr 7 #4
    Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»Exclusive: House Democrat...