Bernie Sanders Blames ‘Oligarch’ Against Elon Musk, Slams $366 Million in Republican Funding | Today’s news

US Senator Bernie Sanders has accused billionaire Elon Musk of promoting an “oligarchy” through his massive political spending, targeting the SpaceX CEO over reports he is investing $366 million to help Republicans retain control of Congress in the upcoming US election.

Sanders criticized Musk for allegedly using his vast fortune to shape the country’s political landscape and called for an end to the billionaires’ growing influence.

In a post on X, Sanders linked Musk’s political contributions to the surge in his wealth after US President Donald Trump’s election victory last year. The senator argued that the financial gains Musk has made since Trump’s return to power have not stopped him from spending even more money to support Republican candidates.

“Elon Musk spent $290 million to elect Trump. It paid off. Since his election, Musk has become $696 billion richer and became the world’s #1 billionaire. But that’s not enough. Now Musk is spending $366 million to keep Republicans in control of Congress. STOP MUSK. STOP THE OLIGARCHY,” Sanders said.

How much is Musk spending on the US midterm elections?

Musk’s financial backing of Republican candidates has come under the spotlight as political parties prepare for the US election. Musk has donated $276 million since July, $158 million of which went to super PACs supporting Republican Senate candidates, according to a Monday report from The New York Times. That made him the biggest individual political donor so far this year.

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America PAC spokesman Andrew Romeo defended the contributions, telling The New York Times, “These robust investments have allowed the GOP apparatus to get its message out, so Republicans can have a fighting chance against history.”

Musk claims Indian business interests are blocking Starlink

Sanders’ remarks come against the backdrop of Musk’s recent criticism of India’s business environment, particularly over the proposed entry of his satellite internet business Starlink into the telecommunications market there.

Musk claimed on X that influential business groups are preventing Starlink from entering India in order to preserve their existing market positions. His comments were in response to a discussion about the potential need for satellite internet service in the country.

“Unfortunately we (Starlink) are being blocked by certain oligarchs to maintain a monopoly on the people of India. You can guess who they are… This is a crime against the people of India,” Musk said.

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Meanwhile, the Ministry of Communications has defended India’s regulatory framework, describing the approval process for satellite communications services as fair and non-discriminatory. He emphasized that operators must meet the prescribed safety obligations before proceeding to the next stages of approval.

“The government has implemented a fair and non-discriminatory authorization framework for all telecommunications services, including satellite communication services,” the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry further said that satellite service providers operating through non-geosynchronous satellite orbital technology have been issued authorizations for three global mobile personal communications. Security assessments of all three licensees are currently underway.

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He added that operators must demonstrate that they meet security requirements to protect users and their data. The allocation of spectrum can proceed after the completion of the necessary assessments.

Musk’s accusations that powerful Indian business interests are trying to limit competition have also brought his own political activities in the US into the spotlight.

Although the billionaire has accused unnamed business groups in India of using their influence to maintain market dominance, his reported financial contributions to Republican campaigns have raised questions about the role of wealthy individuals in shaping American politics.

Sanders has repeatedly expressed concern about the undue political influence billionaires can wield through their financial resources.