Brief
Elon Musk slams Ambani supporters as “absurd hypocrisy” over Starlink competition
Musk says Ambani’s supporters contradict themselves by claiming Starlink can’t compete yet also fearing it as a strong rival.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Elon Musk used his X account on Sunday to denounce supporters of Indian telecom magnate Mukesh Ambani, labeling their arguments about Starlink’s competitiveness as "absurd hypocrisy and hyperbole". The post, published on 10 Oct 2026, claimed the supporters simultaneously argue that Starlink cannot match Ambani’s low‑price monopoly while also warning that the service would be a powerful competitor.
What happened
Musk’s X post quoted his own remarks that competition from Starlink would broaden consumer choice in India and could pressure Ambani’s profits, though he assured that "he is not going out of business." He added that if Starlink’s pricing were too high, Indian consumers would reject it, forcing SpaceX to lower costs. The post also linked to an Al Jazeera 2022 report on a Reliance‑funded firm’s role in BJP social‑media campaigns and an archived Indian Express 2024 story about Qwik Supply, a Reliance‑linked company that allegedly donated Rs 385 crore to the BJP and Rs 25 crore to the Shiv Sena via electoral bonds.
What the reports add
The New Indian Express article notes that Musk’s criticism follows a series of recent posts targeting Ambani, including a sarcastic message calling him "Prime Minister Ambani" and accusing him of protecting a monopoly. It also mentions that Reliance has not publicly responded to Musk’s allegations, while the Indian government maintains that the telecom and satellite licensing framework is "fair and non‑discriminatory" and that claims of selective application are "baseless and misconceived".
What was said
"The ridiculous arguments by Ambani’s army of Internet shills make no sense," Musk wrote, according to the New Indian Express. He further said, "On the one hand, they say Starlink couldn’t possibly compete with the amazing low prices offered by Ambani’s de facto monopoly in India and then, in the same breath, they essentially claim that Starlink would be too strong of a competitor! This is absurd hypocrisy and hyperbole." The article also reproduces Musk’s earlier sarcastic address: "Dear Prime Minister Ambani, Please accept my humble apologies for not realising that you are the real boss of India…"
How it came about
Musk’s latest jibe follows a pattern of criticism that began earlier in October, when he posted screenshots of media reports alleging Reliance‑funded firms aided BJP campaigns and made large political donations. Those posts built on earlier tensions over the stalled commercial launch of Starlink in India, a subject covered by Felo News on 9 Oct 2026, which reported Musk’s claim that unnamed "oligarchs" were blocking the service and the Ministry of Communications’ defence of the licensing process.
Key facts
- Elon Musk called Ambani's online supporters "absurd hypocrisy" in an X post on 10 Oct 2026. (newindianexpress.com)
- Musk argued that competition from Starlink would benefit Indian consumers and could lower Ambani's profits. (newindianexpress.com)
- Musk linked to an Al Jazeera 2022 report and an Indian Express 2024 report about Reliance-linked donations to BJP and Shiv Sena. (newindianexpress.com)
- Reliance has not publicly responded to Musk's allegations. (newindianexpress.com)
- The Indian government says the telecom licensing framework is fair and accusations of bias are baseless. (newindianexpress.com)
Sources
- [1] newindianexpress.com — originally reported as “'Absurd hypocrisy': Elon Musk hits out at Ambani's online supporters in fresh jibe”
