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An Army Under Secretary Purchased Stock in a Major Defense Contractor

A spokesperson says Michael Obadal’s purchase of SpaceX shares doesn’t conflict with his public duties.

The logo of SpaceX

Army Undersecretary Michael Obadal purchased between $1,001 and $15,000 worth of SpaceX stock, according to a disclosure. Silas Stein/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images

By Dave Levinthal

August 10, 2026 01:15 p.m.

SpaceX celebrated its initial public offering in June by selling hundreds of millions of shares — and making Elon Musk a trillionaire.

Among the buyers that day: Army Undersecretary Michael Obadal, who purchased between $1,001 and $15,000 worth of SpaceX stock, according to a financial disclosure document filed with the Office of Government Ethics and reviewed by NOTUS.

SpaceX does billions of dollars’ worth of business with the Department of Defense and the Space Force, including winning a $4.16 billion deal with the Space Force in May. The company does not hold contracts with the Army.