Elon and Trump got divorced: Maybe that's not such a bad thing

President Donald Trump and tech mogul Elon Musk, once considered close allies, had what seemed like a sudden shocking breakup last week, in front of the entire world, complete with threats and mudslinging. The fallout, coupled with a startling security breach at the White House, suggests that their parting of ways might not be the worst outcome for the American nation.

According to a Washington Post investigation, a team operating under the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Musk and Trump administration officials, secretly installed Starlink internet in the White House, bypassing critical security protocols. This move, executed without notifying the White House’s communication and security teams, has been labeled an “unprecedented security breach” by former officials, raising alarms about potential leaks of sensitive information and vulnerabilities to cyberattacks.

The installation took place in February when DOGE personnel accessed the roof of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building to set up a Starlink antenna. The system went live without oversight, allowing a “Starlink Guest” Wi-Fi network to appear across White House devices, requiring only a password for access, no username or two-factor authentication. Security experts warn this setup could have enabled hackers to infiltrate one of the world’s most secure compounds or allowed sensitive data to leak undetected.

“They completely ignored warnings from communication and security experts,” one anonymous source told the Washington Post. Another added, “Starlink allows you to transfer data without documentation or tracking, bypassing the White House’s robust IT controls.” The absence of monitoring meant security teams couldn’t prevent data leaks or block external hacking attempts, potentially compromising national security.

The timing of this revelation is telling, coming after their massive, very public fight last week. Apparently, Trump is considering cutting ties with Musk, possibly canceling contracts with his companies, including Starlink. This fracture follows months of collaboration, including DOGE’s push to streamline government operations, which now appears to have overstepped critical boundaries.

The White House downplayed the incident, with Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi claiming awareness of DOGE’s intent to “improve internet access” and denying any security breach. However, former officials paint a different picture, emphasizing the gravity of bypassing traditional safeguards. White House networks typically require strict monitoring, full-tunnel VPNs, and limited guest access, none of which applied to the Starlink setup.

The security concerns don’t end there. Experts fear unmonitored connections could introduce malware into White House systems, a risk heightened by the compound’s need to allow smartphones for operational reasons. This contrasts with intelligence agencies, which ban such devices entirely. The question lingers: why did DOGE and its allies insist on Starlink, ignoring established protocols?

As the Trump-Musk alliance unravels, some see a silver lining. Their collaboration appears to have prioritized speed and innovation over caution, possibly even risking national security in the process. With Congress now probing the issue and Musk stepping back from direct government involvement, the fallout may force a reevaluation of such ventures. Starlink has yet to comment, though the company previously claimed its satellite connections are highly secure.

The public divorce of Trump and Musk, while messy, could serve as a wake-up call. If it leads to tighter oversight and a recommitment to security, the end of this partnership might just be a blessing in disguise.

Obviously, we are all sad (and a bit shocked) about just how quickly all hell broke loose, and the end of their adorable bromance.