Israel expressed concern ‘wild card’ Musk could share sensitive data with others – report

Israel is among a number of United States allies that have expressed concerns Elon Musk could share sensitive information with others, defense officials tell The New York Times.

Israel’s Defense Ministry called Musk a “wild card” after early 2023 meetings between Israeli military intelligence officials and US defense officials over Starlink, two individuals with knowledge of the talks tell the newspaper.

Israeli officials were reportedly concerned Musk could pass sensitive information about Israel to other parties, although they eventually allowed Starlink to begin operating this year.

The report says the US Air Force recently denied high-security access to Musk due to potential security risks, with the billionaire and his SpaceX company facing at least three federal reviews over whether they have complied with federal reporting rules aimed at protecting national security.

A 2018 incident in which Musk, who is also CEO of Tesla, smoked marijuana on a live web show with Joe Rogan also sparked a security clearance review by the Pentagon.

The New York Times says the new reviews were initiated by the Air Force, the Defense Department’s inspector general and the undersecretary of defense for intelligence and security. It cites eight people with knowledge of the rocket company and internal documents.

Last month, two Democratic US senators, Jeanne Shaheen and Jack Reed, wrote in a letter that reports that Musk has held multiple calls with Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin, should be investigated by the Pentagon and law enforcement agencies on national security grounds. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall responded last week to Shaheen that he shared those concerns but could not comment on the status of a person’s security clearance.

Tech billionaire Musk spent at least $270 million to help Donald Trump win the US presidency, according to new federal filings, making him the country’s biggest political donor.

Trump has selected the South African-born tycoon and fellow ally Vivek Ramaswamy to head the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, through which the pair have promised to deliver billions of dollars of cuts in federal spending.

Musk does not respond to a request for comment and there is no comment from the Israeli Defense Ministry.