Blackmail Involving Elon Musk and Leaked Kushner How Putin Has Trump's Inner Circle on a Leash

Vladimir Putin’s public praise of Elon Musk may mean much more than just a compliment to the world’s richest person. Such a gesture may have another underlying meaning – to remind Musk that the Kremlin is aware of their contacts and can use this information against him if necessary. This is especially true given the scrutiny American institutions are placing on the billionaire’s companies and the use of their technologies.

At the same time, the story involving Musk is only part of a broader problem. For years, Russia has been trying to influence Donald Trump’s inner circle by exploiting the vulnerabilities of individual officials and negotiators. Speaking exclusively to 24 Channel, Canadian journalist Alla Kadish explained how this could affect Washington’s decisions regarding Moscow, why U.S. institutions are slow to respond to scandals, and how the political battle for Congress could impact support for Ukraine.

A Message for the World’s Richest Man

Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has publicly stated that he is in constant contact with American billionaire Elon Musk. Moreover, and called him a genius. This statement, which at first glance appears to be mere self-praise, actually carries a much deeper and more dangerous subtext.

The Kremlin leader’s words are neither a coincidence nor a simple statement of fact. It is a classic tool of blackmail. Putin is effectively sending a public signal: if the billionaire starts behaving “incorrectly” or acting against Moscow’s interests, details of their previous ties could be revealed.

Elon Musk has long operated from a position of absolute impunity – a privilege typical of the world’s richest man – believing that he has “nothing to lose.” However, the situation is now changing. Realizing that investigations into the use of the Starlink and Starshield systems are inevitable, Musk has already begun assembling a team of lawyers and developing a defense strategy.

Putin’s hint about the existence of compromising material comes at the very moment when the American businessman is most vulnerable to legal pressure within the United States.

The Jared Kushner Factor

Using compromising material to control Donald Trump’s inner circle is a long-standing and well-established tactic of Russian intelligence agencies. A striking example is Trump’s son-in-law,Jared Kushner.

As early as 2017, the contents of his phone fell into the hands of Russia’s Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU). The presence of screenshots and personal data made Kushner an ideal target for blackmail. It was precisely because of this vulnerability that Russian emissaries – notably Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund – were able to find the “right keys” to the Trump administration.

A person whose personal data is in the hands of hostile intelligence cannot, a priori, participate in any state-level negotiations, since their decisions may be dictated by fear of exposure. All behind-the-scenes attempts to negotiate the division of energy markets or other geopolitical agreements are channeled through individuals whom Moscow can most easily control.

In particular, Kushner once again called on Ukraine recently called for an end to strikes on Russian oil refineries.

The Pentagon’s “Paralysis”

While Russian intelligence agencies pull the strings of compromised negotiators, official U.S. institutions, particularly the Pentagon, are showing signs of paralysis. For weeks, the U.S. Department of Defense has been shifting responsibility for the Starlink investigation to the Space Force.

Pentagon chief Pete Hagseth is not making independent decisions – particularly regarding the signing of documents for interceptor missiles for Ukraine – and is awaiting a direct order from the White House.

However, his inaction is accompanied by mounting internal problems. Whistleblowers have already begun leaking information about Hegset’s illegal actions while in office. If the Democratic Party gains control of Congress, Hegset will be the first candidate for impeachment, ahead of even Donald Trump himself.

Interesting! During a brief meeting with the press, British journalist James Matthews asked Hegset, “ Putin plays it "like a violin"?”

Against the backdrop of these scandals, Republicans are trying to appeal to morality, which comes across as extremely cynical. A telling example is the situation in Alaska, where Democrats allegedly found a namesake of Republican Senator Dan Sullivan in an attempt to siphon off his votes. J.D. Vance and other Trump allies called this “morally wrong,” even though such actions do not violate the law.

However, if American case law were to allow for prosecution based on “bad ideas,” Trump himself would be the first to find himself in the dock. It is precisely him that Putin and his inner circle have been feeding “morally wrong” ideas for years – from diesel deals to blocking aid to Ukraine.

The Battle for the Senate

Control of the U.S. Senate is the key factor that will determine how events unfold and whether Trump’s inner circle can be held accountable. The situation remains extremely tense, and even a 50-50 split would mean defeat for the Democrats.

In the event of a tie, Vice President J.D. Vance will have the deciding vote. This will automatically make Republicans the chairs of all Senate committees. It is the committee chairs who have the authority to launch or block investigations.

If the Republicans retain control, all cases involving shady deals with Russia, restrictions on Starlink’s operations, and other questionable initiatives will be put on hold. Conversely, a Democratic victory and a majority in the Senate would allow high-profile investigations to move forward.

In that case, compromised figures in Trump’s inner circle will have to deal with their own trials and lawyers, rather than conducting backroom negotiations with the Kremlin. Congress, which under Speaker Mike Johnson’s leadership effectively surrendered to Trump’s whims, must reclaim its constitutional powers and become a real check on the White House’s destructive ideas.

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