Elon Musk’s Starlink Denied $900M Subsidy; His Mother Blasts Biden

Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service was rejected again for a nearly $866 million rural broadband subsidy, causing an outburst by his mother Maye against President Biden.

The Federal Communications Commission said it “failed to demonstrate that it could deliver the promised service” to underserved areas of the country. It also cited among its reasons SpaceX’s failure to successfully launch its Starship rocket, saying “the uncertain nature of Starship’s future launches could impact Starlink’s ability to meet” its obligations.

This is the second time Starlink’s bid for the subsidy was denied. Last summer, Starlink and another company called LTD Broadband were denied subsidies through the RDOF program because the FCC determined the companies’ long-form applications for funding failed to show they could provide the service outlined in their applications.

“Starlink’s technology has real promise,” FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said at the time. “But the question before us was whether to publicly subsidize its still developing technology for consumer broadband—which requires that users purchase a $600 dish—with nearly $900 million in universal service funds until 2032.”

SpaceX, which operates Starlink, won the subsidy in December 2020 as part of the $20.4 billion RDOF program aiming to provide fast internet to underserved locations across the U.S.

SpaceX started launching Starlink satellites in 2019. As of November 2023, it consists of over 5,500 mass-produced small satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) that communicate with designated ground transceivers.

Nearly twelve thousand satellites are planned to be deployed, with a possible later extension to forty-two thousand. SpaceX announced it had reached more than one million subscribers in December 2022, one and a half million subscribers in May 2023, and two million subscribers in September 2023.

Elon Musk’s mother responds to Starlink rejection

Maye Musk, came down heavily on President Biden, claiming that his administration unfairly targeted her son and his company.

“I am the mother of Elon Musk. His goal is to make this world a better place. President Biden wants to stop him. Have you any idea how furious I am? People in other countries are proud of Elon and do not understand the US President’s motive. Please tell me how I should answer them. (sic),” Maye Musk, wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

I am the mother of @elonmusk His goal is to make this world a better place. @POTUS wants to stop him. Have you any idea how furious I am? People in other countries are proud of Elon and do not understand the US President’s motive. Please tell me how I should answer them. https://t.co/lPGcMvW5kz

— Maye Musk (@mayemusk) December 13, 2023

Maye Musk has been a model for fifty years, appearing on the covers of magazines, including a Time magazine health edition, Women’s Day, international editions of Vogue, and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.

Earlier this year, she was spotted enjoying a break at the Greek island of Santorini, one of the most famous islands in the world. After participating as a speaker at “The Luxury Side of Greece” conference, the author, model, and dietician shared photos of her vacation in Santorini on social media.