Biden Says The U.S. Should Review Elon Musk’s Relationships With Foreign Governments

President Joe Biden suggested that his administration might look into Musk's business and technical relationships with foreign governments, including Saudi Arabia, which became a major investor in the tech billionaire's $44 billion purchase ofTwitter.

Biden, who met with reporters at the White House on Wednesday to discuss this week's mid-term elections and foreign policy issues, was asked by Jenny Leonard if the billionaire CEO who runs Musk is a national security threat. She asked if Musk's acquisition ofTwitter with money from the Saudis and other foreign governments should be looked into.

Biden thinks that Musk's cooperation with other countries is worth looking at. I'm not suggesting that he's doing anything wrong. I think it's worth looking at. I will only say that.

His comments won't improve relations between Biden and the world's richest man, who has mocked the president's age and called him a " damp sock puppet in human form." Last year, Musk was incensed that the Biden Administration ignored his company's achievements in the electric vehicle market and instead heaped praise on the work of GM and Ford.

Musk didn't respond to a request for comment and didn't refer to the comments in a statement.

Biden is not the only one who is concerned about Musk. Prince Alwaleed bin Talal bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia, no bastion of liberal democratic values, backed Musk's purchase with $1.9 billion and is the second largest investor. The investment fund put in $375 million as well. Chris Murphy, a Democrat from Connecticut, called for a review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. because of investments by Middle Eastern interests.

Other concerns may be created by Musk's other interests. After Russia attacked Ukraine, Musk said the company was doing it at its own expense and that he was considering ending the assistance.

Russian nickel is one of the materials thatTesla needs. Musk was slammed for proposing a peace plan on the social networking site to end the war between Russia and Ukraine. Musk has ties to China as he is the only foreign automobile manufacturer in the country that has been allowed to fully own and operate its plant without being forced to work with a domestic Chinese partner.

Observers are wondering if China will be able to exert control over the site by trying to minimize criticism of its policies, including the treatment of the Uyghurs.

The company's shares fell to $177.59 on Wednesday.