Starlink’s “free” White House service costs $1.2M, and $BTC is still the gift that keeps on giving 🛰️

Federal contracting records show that taxpayers paid nearly $1.2 million to SpaceX across four contracts for White House Starlink services, despite the Trump administration describing the satellite internet arrangement as a “donation.” The Pentagon issued the contracts from March 2025 through June 2026.

The payments were made to the White House Communications Agency (WHCA), the military agency responsible for secure communications for the president, vice president and other high-ranking officials. White House officials told The New York Times last year that SpaceX had donated its Starlink services and said the arrangement was reviewed by White House Counsel’s Office.

The contracting records do not explain whether the government funds covered the same services that were previously described as donated. The White House and the Department of Defense did not clarify the distinction.

The reported payments could renew Democratic scrutiny of Elon Musk’s government dealings after the party took control of Congress, according to the source report.