Trump says White House didn't order Starlink restrictions in Ukraine

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters as he departs the White House on October 16, 2026 in Washington, DC. Andrew Harnik | Getty ImagesPresident Donald Trump on Friday denied that the White House had ordered restrictions this week on Starlink satellite internet services provided to Ukraine's armed forces.Ukrainian officials on Tuesday and Wednesday said SpaceX had restricted use of Starshield, a military-grade version of Starlink, without warning, impeding some military operations and its ability to defend civilians against intensifying attacks by Russia.Musk pinned responsibility for any restrictions on the U.S. government and President Trump, writing on X that, "Starshield systems are owned and controlled by the US government."Reporters in Washington, D.C., on Friday asked Trump who was responsible for pausing access for the Ukrainian military. "Well, I don't know if it was anybody because it wasn't me, and I don't think it was Elon," Trump said. "And from what I understand, it's the same as it's always been."Ukrainian forces have long relied on Starlink and Starshield to enable data gathering by their autonomous drones and for other communications. The restrictions cut...