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Lawmakers question Musk's influence in Golden Dome bidding

process

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Concerns over SpaceX's proposed subscription model for

missile

defense

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Pentagon reviewing lawmakers' request for investigation

into

Musk's role

By Marisa Taylor, Mike Stone

WASHINGTON, May 1 (Reuters) - A group of 42 Democratic

lawmakers has called for a review of Elon Musk's role in the

bidding process for the "Golden Dome" missile defense shield, a

project championed by President Donald Trump.

In a letter dated May 1 and sent to the acting US Defense

Department Inspector General seen by Reuters, the group, led by

Senator Elizabeth Warren and congressman Greg Casar, requested a

probe into the origins of the procurement process, citing

concerns over the involvement of Elon Musk's SpaceX.

The lawmakers' move comes after a Reuters report revealed that

SpaceX, along with Palantir ( PLTR ) and Anduril, had emerged as

frontrunners to win a crucial part of the Golden Dome project,

which aims to build a network of satellites to detect and track

incoming missiles to the U.S. The report also highlighted the

close ties between Musk and the Trump administration, with Musk

serving as a special adviser to the president and donating over

$250 million to help elect him.

"This is a deeply troubling report," the lawmakers wrote in

their letter. "All of this raises concerns about whether defense

contracts to build a Golden Dome are an effective way to protect

Americans or are meant to enrich Mr. Musk and other elites."

If the inspector general finds Musk has played a role in his

company gaining an edge in the process, the lawmakers requested

the inspector general refer any findings to the Justice

Department for a criminal investigation. The letter does not

guarantee a review will be initiated.

The Pentagon's Inspector General's office said they had

received the letter and were reviewing it.

The group of lawmakers also expressed concerns over the

potential for a "subscription service" proposed by SpaceX, which

could allow the company to skirt traditional Pentagon

procurement protocols and limit government control over the

system's development and pricing.

"A subscription model would also give Mr. Musk unacceptable

ongoing leverage over United States national security," they

wrote.

SpaceX, where billionaire Musk is CEO, did not immediately

respond to a request for comment on the letter. It did not

respond to questions about its role in Golden Dome in the

original Reuters story. After publication, Musk replied to a

post about it on his social network X without elaborating: "This

is not true."

The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for

comment on the letter. In the original Reuters story, it said it

will deliver "options to the President for his decision in line

with the executive order and in alignment with White House

guidance and timelines."

Palantir ( PLTR ) and Anduril did not immediately respond to requests

for comment.

Despite the Pentagon's positive signals to the SpaceX group,

some sources have stressed the decision process for Golden Dome

is in its early stages. Its ultimate structure and who is

selected to work on it could change dramatically in the coming

months.

The Golden Dome project has been met with skepticism by some

military experts, who question its feasibility and potential

effectiveness.

The Pentagon has received interest from over 180 companies

to develop and build the Golden Dome, with traditional defense

contractors such as Northrop Grumman ( NOC ), Boeing ( BA ), and

Lockheed Martin ( LMT ) also vying for a role in the project.

The timing of the lawmakers' request is particularly

significant, as last week Reuters reported that the Senate

version of the upcoming reconciliation budget package earmarks

$27 billion for the Golden Dome project, a significant

investment that could pave the way for its implementation.

The lawmakers' request for an inquiry follows concerns raised by

other Democrats in Congress over Musk's influence on federal

contracts while serving in the White House. Senator Jeanne

Shaheen has introduced legislation to prevent federal contracts

from being issued to companies owned by special advisers like

Musk.