Campaign Legal Center Files Ethics Complaint Against Elon Musk for Potentially Violating Laws to Benefit His Satellite Business

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Campaign Legal Center (CLC) filed an ethics complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of the Inspector General, urging an investigation into whether the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)’s business transactions with Starlink, a subsidiary of Elon Musk’s company SpaceX, violate conflict-of-interest laws.  

“The American people deserve an unimpeded investigation to determine whether Elon Musk has violated conflict of interest laws by prioritizing his own personal financial interests over the public good,” said Kedric Payne, vice president, general counsel and senior director for ethics at Campaign Legal Center.” Based on his public statements, it appears that Musk has corrupted decision making at the FAA involving the agency's use of his satellite internet business. Corruption happens when government officials abuse their powerful positions for personal gain — Elon Musk owes it to the American public to remove himself from overseeing decisions connected to his personal profits.”

Federal law prohibits executive branch officials from participating in matters that may benefit their personal financial interests. These laws apply to Elon Musk, a tech mogul who contributed nearly $300 million to President Trump’s reelection campaign and has since been designated as a “special government employee” working to oversee the so-called U.S. DOGE Service (DOGE).  

However, Musk appears to be using his position at DOGE to gain more wealth in ways that violate conflict of interest laws. He has not attempted to separate himself from his businesses that have received billions in government contracts. Several recent public statements by Musk also appear to have been a catalyst for the FAA to further integrate his Starlink satellite business into the agency’s operations for air traffic control — potentially at the expense of the FAA’s preexisting contracts with other companies.  

The public has a right to know that executive branch officials are acting on the public’s behalf, and not for the personal benefit of an unelected megadonor to the president. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s acting inspector general must investigate whether the FAA’s consideration of Starlink technology was illegally corrupted by Musk. Holding government officials to high ethical standards is essential for ensuring that the American people, and not wealthy special interests, come first in governance.

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Campaign Legal Center is a nonpartisan legal organization dedicated to solving the wide range of challenges facing American democracy. Founded in 2002, CLC fights for every American’s freedom to vote and participate meaningfully in the democratic process.

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