The Biden administration is once again facing scrutiny over potential bias Elon Musk, this time involving his SpaceX subsidiary Starlink. Starlink operates a network of satellites providing broadband internet access, especially to rural areas poorly served by ground-based providers. It had been tentatively granted almost $900 million by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in 2020 to further expand coverage. However, the FCC is now accusing Starlink of failing to deliver on promised speeds and capacity.
In a surprising reversal, the FCC rescinded this grant to Starlink, claiming the company had not met newly updated criteria. These strict new standards seem suspiciously targeted at Starlink alone, rather than applying evenly across the satellite internet industry.
Elon Musk quickly shot back at the FCC decision on X/Twitter, arguing that “Starlink is the only company actually solving rural broadband at scale! They should arguably dissolve the program and return funds to taxpayers, but definitely not send it those who aren’t getting the job done.”
The timing of the FCC’s crackdown has raised concerns about potential political retaliation. Various federal agencies have been scrutinizing Musk’s business ventures since he acquired Twitter and reinstated some previously banned accounts. Some see this as part of a broader push by the Biden administration to challenge Musk’s disruptive vision and unconventional leadership style.
However, Head of the FCC dissented against the move to revoke Starlink’s grant. He argued that the decision process was rushed and opaque, warning that “the FCC adds itself to the growing list of federal agencies engaging in the regulatory harassment of Elon Musk.”
This latest regulatory action against Musk’s properties has already become a partisan firestorm. Critics argue Starlink uniquely serves Americans lacking broadband access, fulfilling a vital need unmet by mega-corporations focused solely on profitability. They worry everyday citizens depending on Starlink will suffer from what looks like political score-settling by bureaucrats in Washington.
With legal challenges and protests likely to arise, the controversy seems far from settled. Yet again Elon Musk finds his ambitious projects embroiled in bureaucratic turbulence and partisan furor.