Musk Accuses Indian Oligarchs of Blocking Starlink as Bernie Sanders Questions His Political Spending
Elon Musk has accused powerful Indian business interests of obstructing Starlink’s entry into India. US Senator Bernie Sanders has meanwhile criticised Musk’s campaign donations to Republicans ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Elon Musk’s criticism of India’s alleged business monopolies has drawn attention to his own political spending in the United States. Senator Bernie Sanders has questioned the billionaire’s financial influence as Musk backs Republican candidates ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.
Sanders said Musk spent $290 million supporting Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign and is now spending $366 million to help Republicans retain control of Congress. Sanders argued that such contributions raise concerns about the influence of wealthy individuals over democratic institutions.
Campaign figures cited in reports show Musk has donated to several Republican-aligned groups, including the Senate Leadership Fund and America PAC. His contributions make him a major individual donor in the 2026 election cycle.
The debate comes after Musk accused unnamed Indian “oligarchs” of trying to prevent Starlink from entering the country’s satellite internet market. He also directly questioned the influence of Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani.
Starlink, operated by SpaceX, has been seeking regulatory approval to launch commercial services in India. Musk claims powerful business interests are protecting established market positions, while India’s Ministry of Communications has said the regulatory framework is fair and non-discriminatory.
The controversy has highlighted competing concerns about concentrated economic power, political donations and market competition. While Musk has criticised alleged monopolistic influence in India, Sanders has focused on the role of billionaire funding in American elections.
