House Democrats Jim McGovern and Rosa DeLauro have accused Elon Musk of playing a significant role in the failure of a bipartisan government funding bill that would have regulated US investments in China. The bill, which aimed to keep advanced technology and jobs in the US, was scrapped after Musk’s influence led Republican lawmakers to abandon the measure.
McGovern accused Musk of prioritizing his personal interests in China over the best interests of the US. He noted that Tesla, the company Musk runs, has a factory in China and is seeking to develop and sell self-driving vehicle technology in the country. McGovern also pointed out that SpaceX, Musk’s aerospace and defense contractor, has withheld its Starlink satellite internet service from Taiwan at the request of Chinese and Russian leaders, a move that raises concerns about national security.
DeLauro, the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, warned in a letter to Congress that Musk’s cozy relationship with Chinese leaders poses a risk to US national security. She noted that Musk’s companies require Chinese government approvals for their projects in the country and that he has “ingratiated himself” with the Chinese Communist Party leadership.
Musk responded to DeLauro’s concerns by labeling her an “awful creature” on the social media platform X, which he recently rebranded from Twitter. Musk’s influence on government has increased significantly since he acquired Twitter in 2022 and used it to back Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign. He has become a close adviser and major backer to the incoming president, and has even been appointed to co-lead a group tasked with finding ways to cut regulations, personnel, and budgets.