Musk defended his decision to brand the Arizona senator and former astronaut as a traitor over his support for Ukraine.
Elon Musk doubled down on calling Arizona Senator Mark Kelly a 'traitor' during a recent interview on Fox News.The billionaire SpaceX CEO and adviser to President Donald Trump defended using the term due to Kelly's support for Ukraine in the war with Russia, causing Kelly to fire back in a separate interview and call on Musk to 'stick to making rockets.
'Newsweek reached out to Musk and Kelly via email for comment.The ContextThe spat began earlier this month when Musk told Kelly on X, formerly Twitter: 'You are a traitor,' in response to Kelly's criticisms of the Trump administration's approach to the Russia-Ukraine war following a visit to Ukraine.Kelly, a former Navy combat pilot and astronaut, had argued on social media that the United States could not 'give up' on support for Ukraine and said that 'the pause of military aid has only made it harder for Ukraine in their fight against Russia.'The White House temporarily suspended aid to Ukraine after a contentious Oval Office meeting last month between Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Ukainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that dissolved into shouting.'What I saw proved to me we can't give up on the Ukrainian people. Everyone wants this war to end, but any agreement has to protect Ukraine's security and can't be a giveaway to Putin,' Kelly said.What To KnowIn a Thursday Fox News interview, Musk was challenged on his comments by host Bret Baier, who asked the Department of Government Efficiency head: 'You posted that he was a traitor. Why do that?'Musk responded: 'Well, I think someone should care about the interests of the United States above the interests of another country. And if they don't, they're a traitor.'Baier pushed back, saying: 'Sure, but he's a decorated veteran, a former astronaut, and a sitting U.S. senator,' to which Musk replied: 'That doesn't mean it's OK for him to put the interests of another country above America.'Kelly responded to Musk's comments later that day in an interview with CNN, saying that the defense of Ukraine was not against U.S. interests.'What I will say is that I've spent an entire career standing up for our country, defending our country, flying in combat over Iraq, flying in space on the space shuttle, serving in the United States Senate, Kelly told CNN's Erin Burnett.'My entire life has been about serving this country, and I always stand with the best interests of our nation. And I will tell you this...standing with our allies and standing up for democracy is in the best interest of the United States.'What People Are SayingArizona Senator Mark Kelly posted on social media on March 14 that he was getting rid of his Tesla: 'I bought a Tesla because it was fast like a rocket ship. But now every time I drive it, I feel like a rolling billboard for a man dismantling our government and hurting people. So Tesla, you're fired! New ride coming soon.'What Happens NextThe feud between Musk and Kelly is unlikely to fade. Musk continues to have a significant influence on Trump administration policy due to his proximity to the president.
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