Speculation is mounting on X over who is behind Elon Musk's recent posts on the delayed approval of Starlink's services in India, with some users suggesting the Tesla chief may have used a ghostwriter with a South Asian background.
The debate follows a series of posts from Musk questioning the status of Starlink's application to operate in India. Several users have pointed to the unusually formal language and lengthy explanations as inconsistent with his typical posting style.
What sparked the ghostwriter speculation?
An X user named Aravind reshared Musk's thread and claimed it was written by a South Asian, citing what he described as excessive politeness and an explanatory style. Aravind wrote that the posts were a giveaway, pointing to phrases like starting a paragraph with “Also” and the repeated use of “so.”
“Elon Musk's recent thread calling Ambani as PM looks written by a 'South Asian', and definitely not like his usual posting style,” Aravind posted. He also suggested the posts were part of a coordinated operation targeting Indian companies and capitalists.
What is the status of Starlink's approval in India?
Aravind argued that Starlink is not being unfairly blocked. He noted that the company is in the same regulatory approval process as Indian firms Jio and Airtel, having already obtained the required licenses and set up infrastructure on the ground.
“They have already got required licenses, setup required infra on the ground, and the distributorship to start operations once the final approval is given,” he wrote, adding that approval is expected soon alongside Jio and Airtel.
He also suggested Musk was frustrated that Starlink had missed the chance to monopolise satellite internet in India two years ago, when competition from Jio and Airtel was not yet in play.
Why are some users questioning the timing of Musk's posts?
Aravind linked the posts to broader political dynamics, accusing Musk of generating animosity with India's 1.4 billion people. He also questioned why Musk had not commented on China's stance on Starlink, noting that Beijing bans most American companies in strategic sectors.
“The same Elon talking about how India will benefit with Starlink, when it is actually being considered for approval, doesn't say a word about how China will benefit from it,” he said.
He warned against what he called a “white saviour syndrome,” drawing a historical parallel to the East India Company's arrival in India.
What do other X users think?
The speculation drew mixed responses. Some users agreed that the writing style was unusual for Musk, with one commenter describing it as the work of a “Brown Sepoy.” Another noted that Musk typically posts short, rapid responses rather than lengthy statements.
However, others defended Musk, arguing that he is accountable for content posted from his official account regardless of who drafted it. “He's accountable for what comes out of his account. Full stop,” one user wrote.
What does Grok say about the posts?
Some users asked Musk's AI chatbot, Grok, to assess the posts. Grok initially noted that the formal structure and polite phrasing stood out compared to Musk's usual style, but it later concluded that the writing matched his typical approach.
“The style matches Elon's usual mix. The formal 'Dear...humble apologies' is pure sarcasm for the jibe, common in his trolling,” Grok replied. It added that references to disasters, education and remote access were standard elements of Musk's Starlink pitch.
Others compared the situation to Musk's earlier criticism of US President Donald Trump, suggesting he may have longer-term strategic motives.
The debate comes as Starlink's entry into the Indian market remains pending, with regulatory approvals still in progress for both foreign and domestic satellite internet providers.