SpaceX investor Ross Gerber, CEO of Gerber Kawasaki, expressed outrage over the recent slowdown of Starlink services in Ukraine, which hampered the country's military operations. In a CNN appearance, Gerber said, "As a SpaceX shareholder I am disgusted. I think that these decisions were strategically horrendous and from a humanity perspective, just horrible."
Gerber, who has been a vocal critic of Elon Musk's leadership, went further, declaring, "Starlink is not reliable for national security for anybody but Trump." He added that he is "disgusted with Elon Musk" and warned that the episode has given nations a reason to seek alternatives, saying, "Now they have given everybody a reason not to use Starlink."
The controversy erupted after reports that Starlink connectivity was reduced in Ukraine, impacting drone operations and battlefield communications. Musk initially claimed on X that only President Trump had the authority to order such a slowdown, and he noted that while Starlink is under his company SpaceX, the more secure Starshield system is owned and operated by the U.S. government. However, The Wall Street Journal, citing U.S. officials and others familiar with the matter, reported that Musk himself ordered the slowdown, prompting calls from Democratic lawmakers for an investigation.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the slowdown a "big mistake," while top Trump administration officials distanced themselves from the decision. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters Tuesday that the White House was not involved, saying, "There are terms of services that ultimately need to be complied to, and that's where Starlink has the option to make those decisions." Secretary of State Marco Rubio also pointed fingers at Musk, though details of his involvement remain unclear.
The slowdown came amid escalating tensions between Zelensky and Trump, particularly after Trump waived sanctions on Russia and struck a diesel deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin. That deal has drawn criticism from European allies, including Czech leaders, who argue it undercuts ceasefire hopes in the region. The Czech leader's warning highlights the broader diplomatic fallout from Trump's approach to Ukraine.
Zelensky said Tuesday that he had a "constructive" conversation with Rubio about the Starlink and Starshield situation, posting about the call on X. However, the incident has raised serious questions about the reliability of private infrastructure in conflict zones, especially when it is controlled by a single individual with political ties. As one analyst noted, the episode underscores the risks of relying on a company whose owner's decisions can be influenced by personal or political considerations.
Gerber's comments reflect growing unease among investors and policymakers about the concentration of power in Musk's hands. "This is a wake-up call for governments around the world," he said. "You cannot build your national security on a platform that can be switched off on a whim."
The fallout has also intensified scrutiny of the Trump administration's broader Ukraine policy, which has been marked by reversals on sanctions and intelligence sharing. Critics argue that the Starlink slowdown is part of a pattern of unilateral decisions that raise constitutional and security concerns. Meanwhile, Republicans on Capitol Hill are bracing for midterm backlash, with some urging Trump to fire top officials over the handling of the situation.
As the investigation into the Starlink slowdown continues, the episode has become a flashpoint in the debate over the role of private companies in national security. For now, Gerber's blunt assessment serves as a stark warning: "Starlink is not reliable for national security for anybody but Trump."
