Starlink, a satellite internet service run by Elon Musk's SpaceX, is now accessible across the White House campus. This is the latest installation of Wi-Fi networks across the government as Musk joined the Trump administration as an unpaid advisor.
It was not immediately clear when Starlink would be fitted into the White House complex after President Trump took office for his second term.
Starlink terminals, rectangular panels that receive shining Internet signals from SpaceX satellites in low Earth orbit can be placed in physical structures. However, instead of being physically located in the White House, the StarLink system is said to be routed through the White House data center, where existing fiber cables are now miles away from the complex.
White House officials said the installation was an effort to increase internet availability in the complex. They said that some areas of the property were unable to obtain cell services, and that existing Wi-Fi infrastructure was overattacked.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said it was “to improve Wi-Fi connectivity in the complex.”
However, the situation differs from previous situations to resolve Internet services. Musk, an unpaid advisor who currently works as a “special government employee” at the White House, manages Starlink and other companies with regulatory issues and contracts with the federal government. Questions about his business interests at odds with his position as presidential adviser and Trump's leading donor have lasted for several weeks.
In February, Chris Stanley, who works as a security engineer for two companies, SpaceX and Social Media Platform X, went to the roof of the White House Complex's Eisenhower Executive Office Building, to explore the installation of Starlink. Stanley works with the government's Efficiency Bureau as a special employee of Musk's government.
When Stanley opened the door leading to the roof of the building directly across from the White House entrance, he issued an alarm warning the Secret Service about his presence. According to four people with knowledge of the case, it created a dramatic scene as the police in uniform rushed to respond quickly.
A fifth person with knowledge of the event said Stanley was previously told by the Secret Service that he could check out the roof, but the agency had not adjusted the time for Stanley's arrival.
White House spokesman Harrison Fields said the White House “knowed Doge's intentions to improve internet access on campus,” and “we didn't consider this an issue a security incident or a security breach.”
Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said it was not considered a violation or a security incident.
White House officials said Starlink had “donated” the service and the gift was reviewed by a lawyer who oversees ethics issues at the White House lawyer's office.
Some former staff members were unclear how such donations would work.
Claire Martrana, former White House chief information officer during the Biden administration, said that people usually can't simply give the government any skills. She said the White House Chief Information Officer, like the General Services Chief Information Officer, must sign off to the new system to ensure that it is properly protected.
Stanley worked with the White House Internet Technology Office to set up a new Starlink system. He is an advisor while assigned to work for the Department of Justice.
The White House is the latest government property currently operated by Starlink.
In recent weeks, Starlink has also been established in the General Services Administration, according to documents and people familiar with the service.
Although some federal agencies have contracted with Starlink, satellite services are usually used to provide emergency situations and remote internet access.
Starlink is generally considered a trusted network. In October, the Federal Emergency Management Agency signed with Starlink to distribute terminals for services across North Carolina after Hurricane Helen was hit by the state. The service is also important to Ukraine's defense against Russia, with SpaceX estimated to cost $400 million to support the effort over a 12-month period around 2022.
However, it is not clear that StarLink Internet Services will significantly increase the wireless internet capacity of buildings that are already accessible by fiber cables.
It was also unknown whether StarLink communications were encrypted. At the very least, the system allows networks separately from existing White House servers that are available to grounded people, and separates that data.
“We are committed to providing a wide range of services,” said Jake Williams, vice president of research and development at Hunter Strategy, a cybersecurity consultant. “I can't imagine the time I've heard it.”
“It introduces another attack point,” Williams said. “But why are you introducing that risk?”
One official with knowledge of the discussion about setting up Starlink in the White House said he was not allowed to speak publicly, saying the Secret Service is concerned that it could be piped through existing safe hard wiring at the White House, which is used by the Secret Service and other federal agencies. The fact that internet services currently function through different data hubs seems to address that concern.
With the General Services Administration, where the use of Starlink was previously reported by NBC News, the service has been added to the list of apps approved for download on agent mobile devices. According to documents seen by The New York Times, the list also includes the apps from two other mask-driven companies, X and Tesla.
“Only apps that meet GSA security and privacy standards are permitted,” the agency spokesman said in a statement. The agency declined to comment on its use of Starlink.
Musk expressed his dissatisfaction with what he considers as an outdated technology of the government and moved forward in his efforts to modernize it.
Shortly after Trump was sworn in, Musk complained that a digital system called the Wave would allow the Secret Service to allow guests to authorize them to enter the White House premises. Some White House officials shared their ratings. Musk appointed Stanley to fix it, according to two people who were described on the issue.
Secret Service spokesman Guglielmi said the agency is “working closely” with Musk's team and has been holding ongoing discussions. At this point, he added that “no formal changes have been made to the White House Visitor Access System.”
Jonathan Swann and Tyler Pager contributed the report.
