Israel, along with several U.S. allies, has raised concerns about Elon Musk potentially sharing sensitive information with unauthorized parties, according to defense officials speaking to The New York Times. The worries stem from Musk's ownership of Starlink, the satellite internet company, which has become a key player in global communications and military operations.

In early 2023, Israeli military intelligence officials and U.S. defense personnel reportedly discussed the security implications of Starlink during meetings in which Israel's Defense Ministry referred to Musk as a “wild card.” These discussions highlighted fears that Musk might inadvertently—or deliberately—pass sensitive information about Israel’s defense operations to other parties. Despite these concerns, Israeli authorities ultimately allowed Starlink to operate in the region, though reservations remained.

The security concerns surrounding Musk’s activities have escalated recently, with The New York Times reporting that the U.S. Air Force has denied Musk high-security access due to potential national security risks. This decision follows at least three federal reviews into whether Musk’s SpaceX company has adhered to federal reporting rules designed to protect national security.

One of the key triggers for these heightened security reviews was an incident in 2018 when Musk appeared on the Joe Rogan podcast and smoked marijuana during a live broadcast. The Pentagon initiated a security clearance review in response, adding to the ongoing scrutiny Musk faces from U.S. authorities.

The latest round of reviews was reportedly initiated by the U.S. Air Force, the Department of Defense’s Inspector General, and the Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security. The New York Times cites internal documents and multiple sources familiar with the matter, indicating that Musk’s company is under close examination.

The scrutiny surrounding Musk intensified last month when two Democratic U.S. senators, Jeanne Shaheen and Jack Reed, urged the Pentagon and law enforcement agencies to investigate reports that Musk had held multiple phone calls with Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin. The senators expressed concern that these interactions posed a potential national security risk. In response, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall acknowledged the concerns but refrained from commenting on Musk’s security clearance status.

Beyond these national security concerns, Musk's political activities have also raised eyebrows. Recent federal filings reveal that Musk contributed at least $270 million to support Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, making him the largest political donor in the country. Additionally, Musk has aligned himself with Trump ally Vivek Ramaswamy, with the two men working on plans to reduce federal spending through a new initiative called the Department of Government Efficiency.