President Donald Trump’s increasingly influential adviser, Elon Musk, called Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) “a traitor” over a social media post about the Arizona Democrat’s recent visit to Ukraine.
The senator's visit to Ukraine was his third since the country was invaded by Russia in 2022, and war broke out. Kelly is a former Navy pilot, combat veteran, and astronaut.
“Just left Ukraine. 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. Let me tell you about my trip and why it’s important we stand with Ukraine,” Kelly said in a series of social media posts about his visit.
“You are a traitor,” Musk responded.
“Traitor?” Kelly wrote back. “Elon, if you don’t understand that defending freedom is a basic tenet of what makes America great and keeps us safe, maybe you should leave it to those of us who do.”
The comments from Musk, who has emerged as one of Trump’s closest advisers while being the richest man in the world, came weeks after an explosive meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office. Trump and Vice President JD Vance berated Zelensky in front of the media for his handling of the war and stressed that the Ukrainian leader must accept a truce with Russia.
Kelly has voiced strong support for Ukraine since the war began. In his posts, he said, “Trump is trying to weaken Ukraine’s hand, and we are owed an explanation,” noting that no one wants the war ended more than Zelensky.
“It’s not ‘America First’ to pull the rug out from under an ally and leave their people to die,” Kelly said. “This kind of foreign policy will end with no one in the world trusting America.”
Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA) defended Kelly, saying, “Thanks to Senator Kelly for his courage, leadership and patriotism. Badge of honor to have Musk attack him. Kelly stands up for our country."
He continued, "Musk is trying to destroy our government. And apparently Tesla and Twitter as well,” in reference to falling Tesla stocks and Musk’s social media company being down for the better half of Monday.
“My husband is an American hero,” said Kelly's wife, former Democratic Arizona Rep. Gabby Giffords.
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Kelly and Musk have engaged in previous social media feuds. Last month, Musk attacked Danish astronaut Andreas Mogensen and called him "an idiot." Kelly and his twin brother, Scott Kelly, who is also a former astronaut, pushed back.
"Hey @ElonMusk, when you finally get the nerve to climb into a rocket ship, come talk to the three of us," Mark Kelly said. He later told CNN, “If he’s ready to go up into space at any time, I am happy to go with him. I know where the space station is, how to get there, I’ll be happy to join him on that mission.”