By Mdadisi Mmoja
Billionaire Elon Musk’s active support for former US President Donald Trump ahead of the November 5 presidential election has come under scrutiny, particularly following revelations about his connections to Russian oligarchs. These ties have sparked fears that Moscow may be attempting to influence the US election’s outcome.
Moscow is currently facing criticism following revelations that it interfered in the electoral process of the European country of Georgia. Reports have surfaced indicating that Russian authorities employed a range of tactics to influence the outcome of recent elections, including spreading disinformation and supporting certain political factions. This interference has raised alarms among Georgian officials and international observers, who view it as a threat to the country’s sovereignty and democratic integrity.
In the US, documents submitted to a federal court in August unveiled that 8VC, a venture capital firm invested in Musk’s $44 billion social media platform Twitter, now rebranded as X, has links to Denis Aven and Jack Moszkowicz, the sons of Russian oligarchs Petr Aven and Vadim Moszkowicz. Both individuals maintain strong political and economic connections to Russian President Vladimir Putin and are subject to Western sanctions due to their affiliations with the Kremlin amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
8VC was co-founded by Joe Lonsdale, a prominent supporter of Trump and managing partner of the technology investment firm. Lonsdale has also played a key role in founding other significant companies, including Palantir Technologies, Addepar, and OpenGov.
Musk is currently embroiled in a legal battle over his acquisition of Twitter, facing claims from former employees that he violated arbitration agreements by withholding certain payments. As part of this ongoing case, Musk is expected to disclose the identities of X’s shareholders.
Since acquiring the platform, Musk has made headlines with his outspoken views on Russia and the war in Ukraine, even suggesting that the US should reconsider its financial support for Ukraine. His satellite internet service, Starlink, has been pivotal in Ukraine’s defence efforts against Russian aggression, although Musk has faced criticism for deactivating it amidst reports of its use in Russian attacks.
Adding to the controversy, a report from the Wall Street Journal indicated that Musk has been involved in secret discussions with Putin since late 2022, coinciding with his takeover of Twitter. In one notable instance, Putin allegedly pressured Musk to withhold Starlink services from Taiwan at the request of Chinese President Xi Jinping, highlighting Beijing’s role as a crucial ally of the Kremlin. The military version of Starlink, called StarShield, further complicates these geopolitical dynamics.
As a major donor to Republican causes this election cycle, Musk has emerged as one of Trump’s most influential supporters. With a staggering net worth of $274.7 billion, according to Forbes, Musk is actively promoting his campaign group, America PAC, by giving away $1 million a day to registered voters in key swing states until the election. Winners are randomly selected from those who sign a pro-US Constitution petition, although this effort has raised legal concerns, with the US Justice Department warning that it could be considered illegal. Musk, however, remains resolute, asserting that winners “can be from any or no political party and you don’t even have to vote.”
This isn’t the first time Russia has been implicated in attempts to manipulate US elections; the country was previously accused of orchestrating extensive disinformation campaigns to undermine the 2016 presidential election, which Trump won. As Musk’s campaign unfolds, the intersections of his business interests, political activities, and foreign ties continue to draw significant attention and scrutiny.
