“The implication was that they were connected.”
May 15, 2025 6:37 PM Subscribe
The Trump administration used U.S. diplomats to pressure African governments into fast-tracking approvals for Elon Musk’s satellite company while Musk was working in the White House. The effort involved close coordination between the State Department and Starlink, who described their goal as to “ram this through.” Kristofer Harrison, who served as a State Department official in the George W. Bush administration, said: “If this was done by another country, we absolutely would call this corruption. Because it is corruption.”
PS In the article they mention that Amazon is also launching a satellite internet business (Bezos's Standard Fruit to Musk's United Fruit Company) and both businesses are racing to stay ahead of rival Russian and Chinese companies.
Do we have to worry about Kesseler syndome?
PS In the article they mention that Amazon is also launching a satellite internet business (Bezos's Standard Fruit to Musk's United Fruit Company) and both businesses are racing to stay ahead of rival Russian and Chinese companies.
Do we have to worry about Kesseler syndome?
Disgust.
posted by rrrrrrrrrt at 10:46 PM on May 15 [1 favorite]
posted by rrrrrrrrrt at 10:46 PM on May 15 [1 favorite]
The Trump Family Crypto Business - "Zach Witkoff, son of Trump diplomatic envoy Steve Witkoff, co-founded World Liberty Financial and helps run its day-to-day operations. Could he make the 'dialogue' happen by pinging his dad, another co-founder?"[1,2,3]
posted by kliuless at 11:03 PM on May 15 [3 favorites]
posted by kliuless at 11:03 PM on May 15 [3 favorites]
The crazy thing is not "Starlink getting lots of business" but "the US nakedly influencing decisions by other sovereign nations." I mean objectively Starlink is a business many nations want to work with - that's fine, Elon or no Elon, it's genuinely a huge success by SpaceX, leveraging its launch infrastructure to lay what amounts to cable in space.
But if SpaceX and Starlink are the best option, as it seems they are, why does the administration even feel the need to stick its nose in? Honestly, it is not necessary. They are greasing brand new wheels that came pre-greased and everyone is like, why the grease? Let the US company win fair and square, as it was likely to do anyway in the matter of providing a nation with such and such satellite connectivity. Leaning on this small country is completely unnecessary.
Which tells you of course they are doing it for some reason beyond necessity.
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 11:30 PM on May 15 [10 favorites]
But if SpaceX and Starlink are the best option, as it seems they are, why does the administration even feel the need to stick its nose in? Honestly, it is not necessary. They are greasing brand new wheels that came pre-greased and everyone is like, why the grease? Let the US company win fair and square, as it was likely to do anyway in the matter of providing a nation with such and such satellite connectivity. Leaning on this small country is completely unnecessary.
Which tells you of course they are doing it for some reason beyond necessity.
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 11:30 PM on May 15 [10 favorites]
I find it funny that one African nation that's refused to switch to Starlink is South Africa. I wonder if that's part of what triggered the "unauthorized" change to grok that had it going on about white genocide there. These tyrants ARE that petty.
posted by subdee at 12:47 AM on May 16 [5 favorites]
posted by subdee at 12:47 AM on May 16 [5 favorites]
“If this was done by another country, we absolutely would call this corruption.
At this point we just yawn and call this a Thursday.
posted by Rykey at 3:47 AM on May 16 [5 favorites]
At this point we just yawn and call this a Thursday.
posted by Rykey at 3:47 AM on May 16 [5 favorites]
Especially because it's happening in Africa (and Bangledesh), I reckon.
And I reject the characterization of Starlink as "a great American company."
posted by subdee at 6:24 AM on May 16 [2 favorites]
And I reject the characterization of Starlink as "a great American company."
posted by subdee at 6:24 AM on May 16 [2 favorites]
More and more I find my instinctive, exhausted reaction to this crap is "Of course they are."
posted by gottabefunky at 8:27 AM on May 16 [2 favorites]
posted by gottabefunky at 8:27 AM on May 16 [2 favorites]
But if SpaceX and Starlink are the best option, as it seems they are, why does the administration even feel the need to stick its nose in? Honestly, it is not necessary. They are greasing brand new wheels that came pre-greased and everyone is like, why the grease?
Because that way, a favor will be owed to Trump. The first rule of Trumpism is "Trump always gets a taste."
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 8:36 AM on May 16 [1 favorite]
Because that way, a favor will be owed to Trump. The first rule of Trumpism is "Trump always gets a taste."
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 8:36 AM on May 16 [1 favorite]
subdee: "And I reject the characterization of Starlink as "a great American company.""
On the contrary: seeking profit above all else, exploiting and extorting the Global South, and colonizing the very heavens themselves? That's as American as goddamn apple pie.
posted by adrienneleigh at 9:54 AM on May 16 [2 favorites]
On the contrary: seeking profit above all else, exploiting and extorting the Global South, and colonizing the very heavens themselves? That's as American as goddamn apple pie.
posted by adrienneleigh at 9:54 AM on May 16 [2 favorites]
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