Former Clinton Labor Secretary Robert Reich Urges Democrats to 'Defund Musk' and Lay Groundwork for Nationalizing SpaceX and Starlink
Fox Business says Reich offered no evidence for his claim that 75% of Musk's wealth depends on taxpayers. Musk answered on X that 'stealing companies is a serious crime.'
If Democrats win Congress, a former Clinton Cabinet member wants them to go after Elon Musk, Fox Business reports.
The remarks. On an Oct. 24 episode of his podcast "The Coffee Klatch with Robert Reich," the former labor secretary said Musk holds too much political and economic power. "When I say defund Musk, you know, 75% of his wealth is dependent on taxpayers who are buying Starlink systems for the Department of Defense," he said. Fox Business notes Reich gave no evidence for that figure. SpaceX does hold billions of dollars in federal contracts, including with NASA and the Pentagon.
The proposal. Reich said Democrats should start with oversight hearings and also "start laying the groundwork for nationalizing Starlink and SpaceX" if the party wins the White House. "It should be a public corporation," he said. "We should not ever have that kind of power in one person's hands." Fox notes he acknowledged such a move would depend on Democrats returning to the presidency.
The expected fight. Reich predicted Musk would be "really targeted" if Democrats take the House and possibly the Senate, and said Musk would use his large following on X as protection.
Musk's reply. On Oct. 25, answering a video of Reich's comments shared by commentator Collin Rugg, Musk wrote, "Stealing companies is a serious crime. Prison for Reich."
Note for readers: Reich is a commentator, not a current official, and no Democratic leader is quoted proposing to nationalize either company. Fox Business also links to earlier stories on Musk's warning that he will retaliate against Democrats who investigate him.