Democrat running for Texas AG claims $110m in grants for Starlink 'sure looks' like corruption
News Source
β’Fri, 10 Jul 2026 14:57:08 GMT
π° What Happened
Nathan Johnson, a Democrat running for Texas Attorney General, said he will investigate Elon Musk's SpaceX if elected. He claims a deal that gave $110 million in state grants to Starlink looks like corruption. Johnson said 99% of available grant funds went to Musk's company.
Johnson said he is not declaring that corruption happened, but it sure looks like it. He called for more oversight of state grants going to SpaceX. The grants were meant to provide internet access to rural areas in Texas.
Johnson won the Democratic primary runoff for attorney general in May. He made overhauling the attorney general's office a key promise during his campaign. The current attorney general is Ken Paxton, a Republican who has faced his own legal troubles.
π The Backstory
Starlink is Elon Musk's satellite internet service. It provides fast internet to people in remote areas where normal broadband does not reach. The company has received government grants in many countries to help expand service.
Texas has a program that gives grants to companies that bring internet to rural areas. In this case, almost all the money went to Starlink. Critics say this is unfair to other internet providers who could also serve rural Texas.
Elon Musk is one of the richest people in the world and a close ally of Donald Trump. His companies, including SpaceX and Tesla, have received billions in government contracts and subsidies. This has led to ongoing debates about whether the government gives Musk special treatment.
π― Why It Matters
This case questions if government money is being fairly shared. If one firm gets almost all grants, other providers can't compete. Rural Texans may not get the best internet for the best price.
Nathan Johnson, a Democrat running for Texas Attorney General, said he will investigate Elon Musk's SpaceX if elected. He claims a deal that gave $110 million in state grants to Starlink looks like corruption. Johnson said 99% of available grant funds went to Musk's company.
Johnson said he is not declaring that corruption happened, but it sure looks like it. He called for more oversight of state grants going to SpaceX. The grants were meant to provide internet access to rural areas in Texas.
Johnson won the Democratic primary runoff for attorney general in May. He made overhauling the attorney general's office a key promise during his campaign. The current attorney general is Ken Paxton, a Republican who has faced his own legal troubles.
Starlink is Elon Musk's satellite internet service. It provides fast internet to people in remote areas where normal broadband does not reach. The company has received government grants in many countries to help expand service.
Texas has a program that gives grants to companies that bring internet to rural areas. In this case, almost all the money went to Starlink. Critics say this is unfair to other internet providers who could also serve rural Texas.
Elon Musk is one of the richest people in the world and a close ally of Donald Trump. His companies, including SpaceX and Tesla, have received billions in government contracts and subsidies. This has led to ongoing debates about whether the government gives Musk special treatment.
This case questions if government money is being fairly shared. If one firm gets almost all grants, other providers can't compete. Rural Texans may not get the best internet for the best price.