From the Left · Watch · October 22, 2026
Oct 22 · Musk under scrutiny over Starlink limits on Ukraine's drones as SpaceX posts record quarter
PBS NewsHour: How Elon Musk gained so much power over U.S. security interests
Grade A (100/100). Report on SpaceX speed caps on Ukraine's drone links, with Rubio's and Trump's denials, Musk's own post, and a retired Air Force colonel on who controls Starshield
Lehrer score 100/100 (no deductions; checked for spin against the transcript: [1:47] Rubio's denial reported in full: 'denied that the president or anyone else in the U.S. government had anything to do with the speed limitations'; [2:32] Musk's own side read out: 'Star Shield systems are owned and controlled by the U.S. government'; [5:29] guest declines to assign blame: 'there's a lot of misinformation going around ... it'll take a while to get to the bottom of actually what happened'). Fixed scale: 90+ A, 80s B, 70s C, 60s D, under 60 F → A.
No spin found. [1:47] Rubio's denial reported in full: 'denied that the president or anyone else in the U.S. government had anything to do with the speed limitations'; [2:32] Musk's own side read out: 'Star Shield systems are owned and controlled by the U.S. government'; [5:29] guest declines to assign blame: 'there's a lot of misinformation going around ... it'll take a while to get to the bottom of actually what happened'
Splits: Report on SpaceX speed caps on Ukraine's drone links, with Rubio's and Trump's denials, Musk's own post, and a retired Air Force colonel on who controls Starshield
- Met. Rule: no spin ([1:47] Rubio's denial reported in full: 'denied that the president or anyone else in the U.S. government had anything to do with the speed limitations')
- Met. Rule: no spin ([2:32] Musk's own side read out: 'Star Shield systems are owned and controlled by the U.S. government')
- Met. Rule: no spin ([5:29] guest declines to assign blame: 'there's a lot of misinformation going around ... it'll take a while to get to the bottom of actually what happened')