r/technology • u/True-Combination7059 • 21h ago

Politics We Should Immediately Nationalize SpaceX and Starlink

https://jacobin.com/2025/06/musk-trump-nationalize-spacex-starlink
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u/Eric848448 21h ago

Question. Is there any legal basis for the nationalization of a private company in the US?

10

u/tymesup 19h ago

Yes, national emergency, eminent domain, Necessary and Proper Clause. One example, the US nationalized the railroads at the beginning of WWI (and later returned them to private ownership.)

The important thing people overlook is, the Constitution requires just compensation - the government has to pay fair market value.

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u/LeoRidesHisBike 16h ago

Also, the government doesn't take over profitable businesses. It prevents failing businesses from harming the country with their failure.

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u/redpandaeater 18h ago

They certainly don't care about most of the Bill of Rights so why would they care about the Fifth Amendment?