President Trump said Thursday he has not spoken with Elon Musk about the tech billionaire's decision to restrict Starlink access for Ukraine, but warned he would intervene if the service remains limited.
"I have not spoken to him," Trump told reporters on the White House South Lawn. "I might have to, but I have not. I have heard it was fixed. If it's not, I'll speak to him."
The remarks come amid reports that Musk directed the shutdown of Starlink, which has been a critical tool for Ukraine's defense against Russian missile and drone strikes. The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday that Trump called Musk on Wednesday to ask him to lift restrictions on Starshield, the military-grade version of Starlink, and that Trump expressed frustration that speeds remained capped.
Trump did not confirm whether he had placed that call, saying only: "Well, I don't want to say, but I know it was a very interesting situation. I don't want to comment one way or the other."
The Journal's reporting on Thursday followed an earlier report on Tuesday that Musk had ordered the shutdown. The situation has drawn attention to the role of private companies in wartime communications, and to the influence of Musk, who has been a prominent ally of Trump.
Trump's comments come as his administration has been active on Ukraine-related matters. Earlier, his wife, Melania Trump, was involved in securing a local ceasefire in the Ukrainian city of Oleshky, a development that highlighted the administration's unconventional diplomatic approach.
The Starlink issue also intersects with broader policy debates. Trump has recently invoked a Cold War-era law to boost domestic fuel production, and has been pushing a range of midterm initiatives, from dividend checks to disaster aid. The Starlink situation, however, has a direct impact on Ukraine's ability to defend itself.
Analysts note that Starlink's role in Ukraine has been pivotal, allowing Ukrainian forces to coordinate drone strikes and maintain communications in areas where traditional networks are unavailable. Any disruption could have significant consequences on the battlefield.
Asked whether he would press Musk to fully restore service, Trump demurred, but his warning that he "might have to" speak with Musk suggests the issue is not fully resolved. The White House has not provided further details.
