Tech mogul Elon Musk has committed to sending “as many Starlink terminals as possible” to battered Western North Carolina after former President Donald Trump contacted him at the behest of state Sen. Danny Britt.
“Yesterday morning, I called a Trump family friend who is a close buddy of mine,” Britt said in a post on X. “He got one of President Trump’s closest advisors on the phone immediately.”
That set in motion a chain of events that led to Trump contacting Musk, leading to the SpaceX CEO agreeing to send more emergency internet access to the region as it struggles in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
“Sen. Danny Britt called me on Monday morning and said he was hearing from state officials that Western NC was in desperate need of additional communication resources and asked if Starlink might be available,” said Ches McDowell, managing partner of Checkmate Government Relations and a Trump family friend. “I called the Trump campaign and let them know. Almost immediately, President Trump called Elon Musk, who agreed to help.”
William Ray, director of the Emergency Management division of the state’s Department of Public Safety, was put in contact with Trump’s campaign.
“Good afternoon, we would appreciate any assistance with additional Starlink units to deploy into impacted communities across our state,” Ray said in a group text message with Trump campaign staff and Britt that North State Journal obtained. “Apologies if this hasn’t gone through yet.”
The Trump team responded, “Director, I am with DJT, he is going to call Elon now. We are on it.”
At 1:31 a.m. Tuesday, Musk posted on X that his company would provide assistance.
“Since the Hurricane Helene disaster, SpaceX has sent as many Starlink terminals as possible to help areas in need,” Musk posted. “Earlier today, @realDonaldTrump alerted me to additional people who need Starlink Internet in North Carolina. We are sending them terminals right away.”
