Former Labor Secretary Robert Reich is calling on Democrats to target billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk if the party regains control of Congress, suggesting lawmakers launch investigations and begin laying the groundwork to nationalize SpaceX.
Speaking during an Oct. 24 episode of his podcast, “The Coffee Klatch with Robert Reich,” the former Clinton administration official argued that Musk wields excessive political and economic influence, asserting that aggressive legislative action is necessary to curb his reach.
“When I say defund Musk, you know, 75% of his wealth is dependent on taxpayers who are buying Starlink systems for the Department of Defense,” Reich stated during the broadcast. While Reich did not provide evidence to support his specific 75% figure, SpaceX has indeed secured billions of dollars in federal contracts, including high-profile agreements with NASA and the Pentagon.
Beyond financial oversight, Reich urged Democrats to prepare for a potential government takeover of SpaceX and its satellite internet subsidiary, Starlink, contingent upon the party also winning back the White House.
“If we have a Democratic administration—and the Democrats ought to be starting this not just with oversight hearings, but also starting laying the groundwork for nationalizing Starlink and SpaceX,” Reich said. “It should be a public corporation. We should not ever have that kind of power in one person’s hands.”
Musk swiftly responded to the proposal on X on Oct. 25, firing back after conservative commentator Collin Rugg shared a video clip of the former labor secretary’s remarks. “Stealing companies is a serious crime. Prison for Reich,” Musk wrote.
Reich further predicted that Musk anticipates heightened scrutiny should Democrats capture the House and potentially the Senate in upcoming midterm elections, noting that the tech executive would likely lean on his massive follower base on X to push back against congressional inquiries.
Although Reich outlined an ambitious strategy for congressional oversight and potential nationalization, he acknowledged that executing such plans would ultimately depend on Democrats securing both legislative majorities and the presidency.
