U.S. President Donald Trump with Elon Musk in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C. File
| Photo Credit: Reuters
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday (October 23, 2026) that he would speak to tech tycoon Elon Musk if there are still problems with Ukraine’s military-grade version of the Starlink service.
“If there is a problem, I will get it straightened out,” Mr. Trump told reporters at the White House after Ukraine said it was still having problems with the Starshield communications platform.
Asked if he had contacted Mr. Musk to restore access, Mr. Trump replied: “I have not spoken to him. I might have to, but I have not. I’ve heard it was fixed, but if it’s not, I’ll speak to him.”
Mr. Trump had said on Thursday (October 22, 2026) that Mr. Musk, whose SpaceX is behind the Starshield system, had restored access.
The billionaire President on Friday (October 23, 2026) also rejected suggestions that Musk had too much power over a system that is vital for Ukraine’s fight against Russia’s invasion, now in its fifth year. “I don’t think he does,” he said. “Elon will never do anything wrong. I know him very well, he is a fair person.”
Mr. Trump has had a complicated relationship with Ms. Musk, who led the cost-cutting Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) last year before falling out with the president.
The pair appeared to have made up again in recent months, with South African-born Musk attending a state banquet for Chinese President Xi Jinping at the White House in September.
Published – October 23, 2026 10:33 pm IST
