Two congressional leaders are raising alarms after discovering that Elon Musk’s satellite internet company, Starlink, is now wired directly into a White House government data center, prompting urgent calls for an investigation into national security risks and potential conflicts of interest.
On April 7, 2025, Rep. Shontel Brown (D-OH) took to Instagram and X to share her concerns, announcing that she and Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA), the Ranking Member of the House Oversight Committee, had formally requested information from the White House about the installation.
“We found out last month that Starlink—yes, Elon Musk’s satellite internet service—is now wired into the White House,” Brown said in a video shared online. “It isn’t just a device—it’s integrated into a government data center. It was donated, and now Elon is pushing for Starlink to be used at other government buildings. This raises serious red flags.”
“Who Approved This?”
In a joint letter to the White House, Brown and Connolly are demanding a full accounting of how and why the federal government allowed the privately-owned, Musk-led company to install critical infrastructure within a secure government facility. The lawmakers want to know:
- Who authorized the Starlink integration?
- What are the terms of the deal?
- What data security protocols are in place?
- Are there any existing or potential conflicts of interest involving Musk?
“Elon Musk should not be allowed to buy access or quietly integrate his technology into the highest levels of government without transparency,” Brown added. “The American people deserve answers and accountability.”
National Security Concerns Mount
Critics say the integration of a privately-owned foreign-capable satellite network into the White House infrastructure poses major cybersecurity and geopolitical risks, especially as Musk’s other companies—X (formerly Twitter), SpaceX, and Tesla—continue to exert influence over public discourse, space contracts, and AI development.
While Starlink has provided vital satellite services globally, including during crises like the war in Ukraine, its application within U.S. government infrastructure—especially in a space as sensitive as the White House—has raised eyebrows across both political and tech sectors.
“It’s one thing to use Starlink in emergencies overseas,” one cybersecurity analyst noted. “It’s quite another to embed it into federal data centers—without public oversight.”
No Comment From Musk or the White House—Yet
As of publication, the White House has not publicly responded to the letter. Elon Musk has also remained silent, although the controversy has begun trending across social media under hashtags like #StarlinkWhiteHouse and #TechTakeover.
Brown stated that this issue is not just about tech—it’s about transparency, governance, and public trust.
“We cannot allow billionaires to quietly wire their interests into the government without checks and balances,” she said.
