Trump Administration Leaned on African Countries to Get Business for Elon Musk

a year ago

The State Department conducted a campaign to push a small African country to help Elon Musk’s Starlink secure regulatory approval.
U.S. diplomats coordinated with Starlink executives to lobby Gambian officials, with some perceiving the tactics as veiled threats tied to foreign aid.
Ambassador Sharon Cromer escalated efforts by writing to Gambia’s president to bypass the communications minister, who resisted Starlink’s license approval.
The Trump administration has used diplomatic channels to advance Starlink’s interests in multiple developing nations, raising concerns about crony capitalism.
Starlink’s aggressive expansion aims to dominate Africa’s internet market ahead of competitors like Amazon’s Project Kuiper.
Critics argue the U.S. government’s pressure tactics undermine diplomatic norms and risk damaging America’s reputation abroad.
Gambia, a fragile democracy, faces economic and regulatory dilemmas over Starlink’s entry, balancing potential benefits against local telecom industry impacts.
Internal cables reveal State Department efforts to fast-track Starlink licenses globally, often linking approvals to U.S. foreign policy priorities.

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