The directives came after SpaceX CEO Elon Musk criticized Verizon, which has a contract to upgrade air traffic control communications.

After Trump and Musk gutted the Federal Aviation Administration, the agency directed staff to locate tens of millions of dollars for a Starlink deal.

President Trump has promised that Elon Musk will not participate in conflicts of interest. Nevertheless, Democratic lawmakers are expressing concerns over Musk's Starlink and efforts underway that might allow it to take over a $2.

The $2.4 billion contract was awarded to Verizon in 2023, according to the Post, and upgrades the systems that allow FAA offices to communicate with air traffic control facilities. But Musk has been critical of Verizon in recent days,

Officials at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Friday ordered staff “to begin finding tens of millions of dollars for a Starlink deal” to upgrade air traffic control communications, anonymous sources have told Rolling Stone.

Officials at the Federal Aviation Administration have told staff “to locate tens of millions of dollars” for a deal with Elon Musk’s Starlink, Rolling Stone reported.