Every year, billions of taxpayer dollars are awarded to private companies through government contracts—but what happens when there’s little to no transparency about where that money goes or how it's spent?

Right now, SpaceX—led by Elon Musk—is one of the largest recipients of NASA and Department of Defense contracts. The company plays a central role in launching satellites, developing next-generation rockets, and even planning future missions to the moon. But a recent New York Times investigation revealed serious concerns about the lack of transparency and oversight surrounding these contracts.

Despite receiving over $15 billion in government awards, SpaceX is often shielded from the kind of scrutiny other contractors face. Audits are rare. Contract details are often redacted. And because the company is private, there’s no shareholder accountability either. Meanwhile, Elon Musk’s influence continues to grow—not just in space, but across AI, social media, and infrastructure—often with taxpayer money fueling that expansion.

This isn’t about stopping innovation. It’s about making sure public money is used responsibly, ethically, and with the kind of oversight that protects democracy. When taxpayer dollars are involved, the public has a right to know how decisions are made, how money is allocated, and what we’re getting in return.

We’re calling on Congress, the Government Accountability Office (GAO), and federal agencies like NASA and the Pentagon to implement stronger transparency requirements for all federal contractors—including SpaceX. That includes publicly available audits, clear reporting on deliverables, and accessible documentation of how funds are used.

Taxpayer money should never be handed out without accountability. If SpaceX is going to continue receiving public funding, it must be held to the same standards as any other major government contractor.

Sign this petition if you agree: it’s time for real transparency in how your money is spent.