Trump Administration to Overhaul $42B Broadband Program, Potentially Benefiting Starlink

Washington, D.C. - The Trump administration announced Wednesday it will overhaul a $42 billion federal grant program aimed at expanding high-speed internet access. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick stated the program will adopt a "tech-neutral approach," potentially benefiting Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet service. The revamped program will remove the previous administration's preference for fiber-optic broadband. Congress created the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment Program in 2021. The Commerce Department has not yet disbursed funds, and Republicans cite red tape as a cause for delays. Some accuse the prior administration of blocking Starlink from receiving grants, while others express concerns about potential conflicts of interest due to Musk's business interests. In 2023, the FCC rejected Starlink's application for nearly $900 million in subsidies.