Taking Authoritarianism Out For a Spin

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October 14, 2026Ukraine’s military relies on two satellite systems related to Elon Musk’s SpaceX, and last night SpaceX restricted speed limits, debilitating Ukraine’s drones even as Russian forces launched strikes against the country’s infrastructure, President Zelensky noted that Russia’s strike, one of the largest attacks of the war, was deliberate and demonstrative, SpaceX is a defense contractor for the US givernment, SpaceX’s undermining of Ukraine supports Trump’s effort to help Putin fund his attacks on Ukraine, There was an outcry about the failing communications service that left Ukraine vulnerable to Russian attacks, Musk blamed Trump, The White House claimed it had no control over SpaceX, blaming Musk, The Pentagon is required to inform Congress if it pauses or downgrades intelligence sharing with Ukraine, but it has not, Trump asked European countries to thaw Russian assets and transfer them to a vehicle controlled by the US, a request they declined, The administration appears to be looking for a way to strip Rep Ilhan Omar of her US citizenship, Numbers from the BLS show inflation at 3.7% in September, ahead of August, and much higher than 2024, Trump is courting foreign actors to invest in his meme coin, US District Court Judge Kelly, ruled that Trump cannot bar CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from the White House, noting that both free speech and due process are protected by the Bill of Rights. The Justice Department plans to appeal. To read this letter, click here:Listen on Apple PodcastsListen on SpotifyYou can also find Heather at:YouTubeBlueskyInstagramFacebookThreadsTikTok Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe