Sincere question: Does this mean it would be more okay if Elon was an elected or appointed government official?

Such decisions cannot, must not, be left up to private individuals.

Perhaps the idea is that the government can be held accountable? Seems like that's not really a given.

We cannot allow Musk to continue to control of Starlink, Krugman argues. “It’s a matter of national security: we cannot let private individuals make foreign and defense policy,” he says, “and it would be totally irresponsible to leave a crucial military asset in the hands of a racist, authoritarian conspiracy theorist.”

Oh. I see.