Get All Access for $5/mo

Report: U.S. Officials Considering a Review of Twitter-Musk Deal The billionaire replied to the news with a laughing emoji.

By Gabrielle Bienasz

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Many things change in the world, but Elon Musk's tendency to share off-the-cuff thoughts on Twitter does not.

On Thursday evening, Bloomberg reported that people in the federal government were considering reviewing Musk's activities in his various businesses for national security purposes — namely, his plan to buy Twitter and request for funding for Starlink internet service in Ukraine.

Last week, CNN reported that Musk told the Pentagon he no longer wanted to bear the financial brunt of providing internet service in Ukraine. He Tweeted earlier this month the company has lost $80 million on it.

Unnamed sources told Bloomberg that federal officials were concerned about his Tweets about Russia and Ukraine, his ask about Starlink funding, as well as his plan to use capital from outside the U.S. to fund the Twitter deal.

In typical Musk fashion, however, he seems pretty relaxed about it all. In response to the Bloomberg story, someone commented "It would be hysterical if the government stopped Elon from [overpaying] for Twitter."

Musk replied directly with a laughing and a "100%" emoji.

Musk has publicly said that he's paying too much for the company.

Bloomberg said a possible candidate to lead the investigation would be the secretive Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, but when asked for comment, the White House passed the buck.

"We do not know of any such discussions," a spokesperson told Bloomberg.

On Thursday, the Washington Post reported that there are documents saying if the Twitter deal goes through, Musk plans to cut about 75% of the company's workforce.

Twitter's shares fell on the news Friday.

Gabrielle Bienasz is a staff writer at Entrepreneur. She previously worked at Insider and Inc. Magazine. 

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Personal Finance

Learn to Invest Your Money in the Stock Market to Secure Your Future

Find out how to read candlestick charts and trade smarter.

Growing a Business

She Was Unhappy in Her Job as a Lawyer, So She Started a Business Serving a Comfort Food Staple — And Made Millions

Erin Wade transformed from a dissatisfied attorney to a celebrated chef, author and entrepreneur.

Growing a Business

This CEO Was Tasked With Helping an Iconic Hawaiian Brand Regain Its Footing. Here's How He Used Storytelling to Do It.

Scott Snyder, CEO of Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii, shares how he's helped take the already well-loved brand to the mainstream.

Franchise

Get Paid to Travel the World and Eat By Applying to Be This Hotel Brand's 'Chief Eats Officer'

The dream role for a food-lover and travel enthusiast allows them to visit some of the most stunning destinations in the world while sharing their adventures on social media.