Elon Musk, the tech magnate behind SpaceX and Tesla, has pledged to provide free Starlink internet access to all regions affected by Hurricane Helene.
The announcement came via his social media platform X, with Musk expressing his intention to have the service operational by Wednesday at the latest.
"We are making a system update to allow all Starlinks in the affected areas to work, regardless of payment," Musk stated, as reported by The Post Millennial. "Software update hopefully completed tonight. Tomorrow at the latest."
This move follows a statement from the 2024 GOP nominee, Donald Trump, who revealed on Monday during a visit to hurricane-stricken Georgia that he had been in talks with Musk. The aim was to activate Starlink internet service for disaster victims across several southeastern states, including North Carolina and Tennessee. Starlink, a brainchild of Musk, is a satellite internet constellation managed by Starlink Services LLC, a subsidiary of Musk's aerospace company, SpaceX.
In a further development, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has enlisted Musk's assistance to provide Starlink to victims who have been without communication for several days. Homeland Security Advisor Liz Sherwood-Randall informed the press on Monday that the government would be aiding in the restoration of communication capabilities in the region. "Today, FEMA will install 30 Starlink receivers in western North Carolina to provide immediate connectivity for those in greatest need," she announced.
Musk's humanitarian efforts have been met with widespread acclaim on social media platform X, with users lauding him for his potential life-saving actions. Some even suggested that Musk's contributions to the disaster-stricken victims surpass those of the federal government. This narrative aligns with a conservative viewpoint that often favors private sector solutions over government intervention.
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