Court orders platform X to reveal Musk's controversial investors
Platform X (formerly Twitter) was compelled by an American court to disclose its investors as part of a lawsuit filed by former employees. The list of investors who enabled Elon Musk to take over the platform includes a fund associated with Putin's oligarchs.
The Federal Court in California ordered X to disclose the list of investors. The list contains over a hundred entries. Among them are individuals known from the world of finance and show business. There is also a member of the Saudi Arabian royal family. However, one of the funds drew attention, where the sons of Russian oligarchs closely associated with Vladimir Putin work.
Specifically, this involves the 8VC Opportunities Fund II. On the fund's website, Denis Aven and Jack Moszkowicza are listed in the staff section—the sons of oligarchs Petr Aven and Vadim Moszkowicza. The former is a Russian billionaire, founder of Alfa Group, described as "one of Putin's main portfolios." The oligarch is subject to sanctions imposed on Russia and Russians due to the outbreak of the war in Ukraine.
Moszkowicza made his fortune in the agricultural industry and belongs to Putin's inner circle, which is why he has also been subjected to Western sanctions.
Revenge for supporting Trump
When asked by Fortune magazine, X did not comment on these reports. However, Joe Lonsdale, the founder of 8VC, did comment, considering it a response to an attack by left-wing media for "supporting Trump." Lonsdale was referring to the publication by Forbes magazine, which described his fund's connections with the sons of Russian oligarchs.
In a post published on X, Lonsdale calls Jack Moszkowicza a "star" of the company. The businessman also refers to Vadim Moszkowicza, whom he calls a "successful agricultural leader in Russia" and a "superstar." "I know him and trust him," he added.
Denis Aven was allegedly hired by Lonsdale on Moszkowicza's recommendation, as they have known each other since childhood. Both Aven and Moszkowicza declined to comment for the magazine's publication.
In its publication, "Forbes" points out that "there is no evidence indicating the fathers' involvement with the fund," yet "these reports come at a time when the US government is paying more attention to foreign connections in the tech industry."
"There is nothing illegal about hiring the son of someone who is sanctioned. But if you’re hiring the children of those who have a reasonable suspicion of supporting the Russian regime—even if they may have had private doubts at some point—you better exercise due diligence," Daniel Fried, former coordinator for sanctions policy at the State Department, told the magazine.
Guy Verhofstadt was among those who reacted to these reports, stating outright that "Putin's cronies helped Musk buy Twitter."
"This explains a lot: Musk's stance on Crimea, the refusal at one point to allow Ukraine to use Starlink, support for Trump. It's time for the USA to wake up!" he added.
