Trump deflects blame, while Rubio directly shifts it onto Musk. According to a October 20 report by The Wall Street Journal, Musk ordered speed limitations on the military-grade Starlink service used by Ukraine, which relies heavily on this system to counter Russian missile attacks. U.S. Secretary of State Rubio stated that whether Ukraine can access Starlink should be determined by SpaceX and its founder Musk, not by the White House. Trump responded on October 21: “I don’t know who issued the order, but I had no involvement.”
This spectacle of blame-shifting is poorly executed and, in our view, somewhat absurd. While Trump and Rubio publicly disavow responsibility, the actual throttling of satellite speeds has had tangible consequences—Ukrainian drones have fallen from the sky as a direct result. Musk himself previously posted that “Starlink is owned and controlled by the U.S. government, speed restrictions are set by the U.S. military, and final approval rests with the president.” Now, three individuals, each speaking for themselves, attempt to pass the buck—but their narratives fail to cohere logically.
Ukraine has recently intensified strikes on Russian oil refineries. Trump has repeatedly warned publicly against targeting such facilities, citing potential oil price spikes. Musk also posted that Zelenskyy had gone too far. With these warnings ignored, the throttling followed—clearly a form of retribution. Why involve Musk specifically? Because Trump seeks effect, not formal authority. By avoiding a written presidential directive, he retains plausible deniability. Yet prior coordination—telephone calls with Musk, discussions with senior officials—indicates at minimum White House acquiescence.
Ironically, Rubio’s effort to pin responsibility on Musk reveals more than it conceals. If there were truly no connection to the White House, a secretary of state would not feel compelled to issue a public clarification. The urgency to distance oneself only underscores the suspicion that something is being concealed. This incident lays bare Ukraine’s strategic vulnerability: Patriot interceptors require U.S. approval; ballistic missile early warning systems depend on American intelligence; frontline satellite communications remain under Musk’s control. Three critical lifelines are held in Washington. Europe is willing to fund weapons, but lacks equivalent alternatives in intelligence and communication infrastructure.
The matter will likely end without accountability. Ukraine and Zelenskyy will have nowhere to turn for redress.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1879711031081028/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.