Elon Musk tweets on Starlink: 'We'll just keep funding Ukraine govt for free'
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Published Sat, Oct 15 20222:41 PM EDTUpdated 3 Hours Ago WATCH LIVE Key Points
- Elon Musk said in a tweet Saturday that his company SpaceX would continue to fund Starlink satellite internet terminals for the Ukrainian government as it battles invading Russian forces.
- The tweets follow a statement from Musk on Friday in which he said that SpaceX cannot continue fund Starlink terminals in Ukraine "indefinitely."
A smartphone with the Starlink logo displayed on the screen. Sopa Images | Lightrocket | Getty Images
Elon Musk said in a tweet Saturday that his company SpaceX would continue to fund Starlink satellite internet terminals for the Ukrainian government as it battles invading Russian forces.
"The hell with it," the billionaire tweeted, "even though Starlink is still losing money & other companies are getting billions of taxpayer $, we'll just keep funding Ukraine govt for free."
It was not immediately clear whether Musk, who is also the CEO of Tesla, was being sarcastic. In response to a tweet about the move, Musk said, "we should still do good deeds." Responding to another tweet saying that Musk had already paid taxes that are funding Ukraine's defense, he said, "Fate loves irony."
The tweets follow a statement from Musk on Friday in which he said that SpaceX cannot continue fund Starlink terminals in Ukraine "indefinitely," after a report suggested his space company had asked the Pentagon to cover the costs.
Musk did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
In a letter from SpaceX to the Pentagon, the company said that the use of Starlink in Ukraine could cost close to $400 million over the next 12 months, according to a report by CNN. SpaceX has signed several contracts with the U.S. government.
SpaceX's donated Starlink internet terminals have been crucial in keeping Ukraine's military online during the war against Russia, even as communication infrastructure gets destroyed. Russia began its invasion of Ukraine in February.
Musk drew criticism from Ukrainian officials earlier this month when he posted a Twitter poll gauging support for what he claimed was a likely outcome of the Russia-Ukraine war.
He appeared to confirm that SpaceX was planning to leave Ukraine in some capacity Friday, replying to a Twitter post that referenced the Ukrainian ambassador telling Musk to "f--- off."
"We're just following his recommendation," Musk said.
The SpaceX founder is also in the middle of a $44 billion bid to buy Twitter, which he had tried to get out of. A judge ruled that he has until Oct. 28 to close the acquisition if he hopes to avoid a trial.
TVWATCH LIVEWATCH IN THE APPUP NEXT | ETListen
Tags
Who is online
397 visitors
A change of heart, now get the Twitter thing settled, Elon.
How is it a change of heart when he expects the US government to pay for keeping Starlink up?
I don't blame Musk for opting out of Ukraine. He is correct to state that others are making billions off the US government limitless support of Ukraine. 400 million to keep a vital communications link open is nothing. The Pentagon would be stupid not to pay it.
It is not like the Ukraine government is going to pay for anything. That includes paying us back for all the aid and military hardware we have supplied. After the war is over they will demandingly thrust our their arm open palm up and demand payment to rebuild.
As for Twitter. They need to account for all of their damn bots- and then negotiate a fair price. Or get a good kick in the teeth from their stock holders when Musk backs out of the deal for good. Twitter stock will be worthless if Musk walks because of rampant bots.
What change of heart have you imagined?
From the article:
From the article:
And of course, Musk said he would buy it again at the same price that he offered in April.
It would be best if you read the article and keep up with the news before going on one of your rants.
Good will is a good thing too! I can see it either way.
Yes, it is and in this case Musk his change of heart may be to a message he sent that really pissed of Ukraine who told him to Fuck Off...Perhaps this is his way to make amends.
Who knew Musk could be so forceful and sensitive? In an interesting "impression-setting" couple of rounds on the world-stage, the man who can 'spot-on' a space booster back on its launch pad decisively seems to flip-flop in other ways the world can see.
Even the 'wild' swing from spending hundreds of millions which is upsetting and alarming to we're okay with doing this vital task for free is drastic. And, it deserves a rationale for 'ringing' the Starlink alarm in the first place! By the way, I had not heard of this space 'product' or service before.
What does that mean?
It means Mr. Musk should have been definite he wanted to go public (and alarm the world) before he asks for help with financing and then pull it back.
That is, does Starlink need state funding or not?
StarLink is probably 2-3 years away from an IPO.
—Not discussing IPO. Discussing going public about how much this is costing him and wanting DOD 'assistance' - alarming the world and pulling it back.