A former FBI agent has accused Russia’s GRU intelligence service of targeting tech entrepreneur Elon Musk for potential manipulation, reportedly offering him direct access to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Jonathan Buma, who served as an FBI Counterintelligence Special Agent, said Russian operatives aimed to influence key Silicon Valley figures like Musk and investor Peter Thiel by collecting compromising material that could be used as leverage.
In a recent documentary released by Germany’s ZDF broadcaster, Buma stated,
“Musk’s susceptibility to promiscuous women and drug use, particularly ketamine… were seen by Russian intelligence as an opportunity for an agent to exploit.”
He also noted that Musk’s association with events such as the Burning Man festival, adult entertainment, and gambling activities presented possible avenues for Russian intelligence to approach him.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Musk has maintained direct communication with Putin since at least 2022.
Buma, who spent 16 years in FBI counterintelligence, was arrested in March on charges of “Disclosure of Confidential Information” related to sharing classified information with a publisher. He remains free on $100,000 bail.
Musk’s stance on Ukraine has been complex. Early in the conflict, he supported Ukraine and provided his Starlink satellite internet service to its armed forces at no cost. However, he later threatened to cut off that access.
By 2024, Musk had adopted a more critical view of Ukraine, aligning with policies promoted by former President Donald Trump, who questioned the U.S. support for Kyiv during his presidential campaign.
Following a $288 million donation to Trump’s campaign, Musk was appointed to lead the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a Trump-created advisory body intended to identify government waste. This agency was established without Congressional approval, despite constitutional requirements.
In spite of DOGE’s declared purpose, the agency has been accused of firing nuclear safety officials, overstating cost savings, and mishandling sensitive data, rather than effectively reducing unnecessary government expenses.
Recently, Musk’s influence and the financial health of some of his companies have waned. He announced last month plans to step back from his leadership role at DOGE to concentrate on Tesla, which has experienced a significant drop in market value.
This week, Musk accompanied Trump on a Middle East trip, arriving in a Cybertruck-led convoy and dining with the Qatari Emir and other dignitaries, according to Business Insider.