Full Breakdown
Investor Ross Gerber Condemns Starlink Slowdown in Ukraine
By Drooid · · How we work
The slowdown and its immediate fallout
SpaceX’s satellite-internet service Starlink was abruptly throttled for Ukrainian users of the defense-grade “Starshield” terminals. The restriction, which occurred amid intense fighting, reduced bandwidth for Ukrainian forces and was described by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as a “big mistake.” A Wall Street Journal report cited Elon Musk as the individual who ordered the speed cut, referencing U.S. officials familiar with the matter. President Donald Trump and other U.S. officials have denied any presidential directive to limit the service.
Official responses from U.S. officials
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters that the slowdown emphasizing that “there are terms of services that ultimately need to be complied to, and that’s where Starlink has the option to make those decisions.”“There are terms of services that ultimately need to be complied to, and that’s where Starlink has the option to make those decisions,” — Pete Hegseth, defense secretary The White House has not issued a formal comment, while a bipartisan group of senators has called for an inspector-general investigation into possible national-security breaches.
Criticism from investors and economists
Ross Gerber, co-founder, president and CEO of Gerber Kawasaki Wealth and Investment Management and a major SpaceX shareholder, appeared on CNN and said, “As a SpaceX shareholder I am disgusted,” and added, “From a humanity perspective, [it is] just horrible.”“As a SpaceX shareholder I am disgusted,” — Ross Gerber, spacex investor“From a humanity perspective, [it is] just horrible,” — Ross Gerber, spacex investor He warned that the episode and argued that over such critical infrastructure. Slowing down Starlink was, in effect, a U.S. intervention in a foreign conflict. It helped Russia, our long-time adversary, and hobbled Ukraine, during a very critical time in this war.” — Paul Krugman, nobel laureate economist
Verbatim quotes
- “As a SpaceX shareholder I am disgusted,” — Ross Gerber, spacex investor
- “There are terms of services that ultimately need to be complied to, and that’s where Starlink has the option to make those decisions,” — Pete Hegseth, defense secretary
- “From a humanity perspective, [it is] just horrible,” — Ross Gerber, spacex investor
- “No private individual should, or indeed even have the capability to, make national security policy. Slowing down Starlink was, in effect, a U.S. intervention in a foreign conflict. It helped Russia, our long-time adversary, and hobbled Ukraine, during a very critical time in this war.” — Paul Krugman, nobel laureate economist
Next steps
Senators have urged the Office of the Inspector General to launch an inquiry, and industry observers note that the controversy may accelerate calls for alternative satellite-internet providers to reduce reliance on a single commercial platform.