The FAA is currently “ confining ” to canceling a major contract with Verizon in favor of Elon Musk ’s Starlink , according to a bombshell raw report from theWashington Post . In another era , one company winning a big government contract over another company would n’t be a huge deal . But in the era of DOGE , Musk is essentially running the entire Union government from top to bottom . And it looks an amazing heap like ego - dealing .
The $ 2.4 billion contract was awarded to Verizon in 2023 , according to the Post , and upgrades the system that set aside FAA office to put across with air dealings ascendence installation . But Musk has been critical of Verizon in recent days , writing on XMondaythat its organisation “ is down and so is position air travelers at serious risk . ” Musk render no evidence for his title .
employee at SpaceX , the parent fellowship of Starlink , have reportedly been work at the FAA and have even invite FAA email computer address , according to the Post . But there ’s no transparency about what Musk and his DOGE team are actually doing inside the agency . And news about Starlink potentially get a contract raise enormous red flags . Especially since the right process for unwinding the Verizon contract “ has not been followed , ” according to the Post .
Elon Musk at a cabinet meeting with Donald Trump in the White House on Feb. 27, 2025.Photo: White House / Flickr
Typically , even the appearance of a battle of involvement is a major event when it come to government contract . But having a guy like Musk and his squad of DOGE goon rummaging through FAA at a metre when one of Musk ’s secret companies might be awarded a contract bridge ? That ’s unmapped water for ego - transaction in the U.S.
Musk says Starlink is already make up and melt down on FAA organisation , but the billionaire is trying to portray the move as something either temporary or purely charitable .
“ To be clear here , the Verizon communicating arrangement to air traffic control is breaking down very chop-chop , ” Musk tweetedThursday , without allow for evidence .
“ The FAA judgment is individual digit month to ruinous unsuccessful person , putting air traveler safety at serious risk , ” Musk continued .
Again , Musk is n’t providing any uncloudedness on what he means . But he stress that the taxpayer is n’t paying Starlink at the moment .
“ The Starlink terminus are being sent at NO COST to the taxpayer on an emergency base to restore air traffic ascendance connectivity . The situation is extremely horrendous , ” Musk concluded .
Musk has n’t explain what is so horrific about the situation , but there ’s no doubt that his own cuts have made thing more grievous at the FAA . At least 400 FAA employees were recently lay off , many of which worked on “ critical systems , ” according to theAssociated Press . And yet Musk sound out the FAA involve more air dealings controller , something that was surely dead on target even before Musk lead off put off thousands of worker .
Musktweetedon Thursday “ There is a deficit of top snick air traffic controller . If you have retired , but are open to returning to work , please consider doing so . ”
Musk and DOGE are currently destruct intact agencies , from USAID to CFPB , while insist that they ’re just looking for waste , fraud , and insult . But Musk has yet to give a single example of waste , fraud , or abuse , and instead will cut a programme that he only does n’t wish . That ’s illegal , of grade , since Congress has the might to resolve what gets funded and what does n’t . But with Republicans in control of both the House and the Senate , it does n’t seem like anything is go to stop Musk from keep to rampage through the government .
What about the court ? There are countless suit file against Musk and Trump . But there ’s already evidence that Trump ’s Department of Justice is only not abide by withcourt order . The Supreme Court intervene tardy Wednesday to settle on whether Trump must touch on funding for many program that have been cut , something that attorney must present their case on by mid - sidereal day Friday .
Musk spoke at what was apparently President Trump ’s locker meeting on Wednesday , and suggested thathe alonewas deciding what was worth cutting and what was worth saving . The billionaire is running the country now , for all intents and intent , and it does n’t seem like anything will stop him . Not the courts , not Congress , and certainly not President Trump . Because Musk and Trumpneed each other . And that ’s not give-up the ghost to change anytime before long .
The FAA and SpaceX did not directly answer to a postulation for comment Thursday . The U.S. Digital Service , which has been rebranded as DOGE to mesh , also did not respond . Gizmodo will update this mail service if we hear back .
DOGEDonald TrumpElon MuskFAAStarlink
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