A former United States lieutenant general has warned that tech Billionaire Elon Musk who has become intricately involved in President-elect Donald Trump’s transition, may pose national security risks due to his ties to China and Russia.
Retired Lt. Gen. Russel Honoré pointed to the Tesla and SpaceX CEO’s business interests in China, as well as his reported conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
" The fact that Mr. Musk spent a quarter of a billion dollars to help re-elect Mr. Trump does not give the incoming White House the license to look the other way at the national security risks he may pose,” Honoré said.
“If Mr. Trump and his appointees mean what they say about getting tough on America’s adversaries, then they will act on this matter without delay,” he continued. “There is too much at stake to ignore what’s right in front of them.” he added.
China is a major market for Musk’s Tesla, which owns a factory in Shanghai. Honoré noted that Chinese law requires companies doing business in the country to turn over information if requested.
“This means Mr. Musk’s business dealings in China could require him to hand over sensitive classified information, learned either through his business interests or his proximity to President-elect Donald Trump,” the retired general noted.
The Former Military Chief, voiced concerns about the tech mogul’s comments about China and related political issues.
Musk previously praised China’s “economic prosperity” and suggested Taiwan become a “special administrative zone” of China — a comment that was received well by leaders in Beijing.
Musk’s companies hold extensive contracts with the U.S. government, Tesla and SpaceX have secured at least $15.4 billion in federal contracts over the past decade.