Report: Elon Musk failed to report movement required by security clearance

A new investigation from The New York Times suggests that SpaceX founder Elon Musk has not been reporting his travel activities and other information to the Department of Defense as required by his top-secret clearance. According to the newspaper, concerns about Musk's reporting practices have led to reviews by three different bodies within the military; the Air Force, the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security, and the Defense Department Office of Inspector General. However, none of the federal agencies cited in the Times article has accused Musk of disclosing classified material. The Times reports that Musk had a mid-level security clearance until 2018, at which point SpaceX applied for a top-secret clearance for its chief executive. SpaceX performs a number of functions for the US government, both civil and military branches. Among its most secretive activities are launching classified satellites for the National Reconnaissance Office and providing encrypted communications and observational activities with its Starshield satellites.

Why didn’t he?

As part of the screening process, federal officials gather financial information and examine personal relationships. It took two years to process Musk's security clearance, the newspaper reports, which is more than double the average time. During the time this security clearance was pending, Musk violated security clearance rules by smoking pot on Joe Rogan’s podcast, and his business interests in China deepened. Musk ultimately received the security clearance, but since 2021, he has failed to self-report details of his life, including travel activities, persons with whom he has met, and drug use, according to the Times. The government is also concerned that SpaceX did not ensure Musk's compliance with the reporting rules. Government agencies "want to ensure the people who have clearances don’t violate rules and regulations," Andrew Bakaj, a former CIA official and lawyer who works on security clearances, told the Times. "If you don’t self-report, the question becomes: ‘Why didn’t you? And what are you trying to hide?'" According to the report, Musk's handling of classified information has raised questions in diplomatic meetings between the United States and some of its allies, including Israel. Musk's national security profile has risen following his deep-pocketed and full-throated support of Donald Trump, who won the US presidential campaign in November and will be sworn into office next month. After this inauguration, Trump will have the power to grant security clearance to whomever he wishes.