Mark Kelly Hits Back at Elon Musk ‘Traitor’ Jibe: ‘Unelected Billionaire’

Senator Mark Kelly has hit back at Elon Musk, after the world’s richest man called him a “traitor” for visiting Ukraine.

Kelly, who served for 25 years in the U.S. Navy and logged over 5,000 flight hours as a Navy pilot and worked as an astronaut for NASA for 15 years, has been a senator for Arizona since 2020, in the seat previously held by John McCain. He defended his trip to Ukraine saying: “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.”

While appearing on Rachel Maddow’s MSNBC show, Kelly also discussed the veterans who are being laid off by Elon Musk, saying: “They were serving our country again…they did not deserve to get fired by an email from an unelected billionaire.”

Why It Matters

Musk is the world’s richest man and a key unelected figure advising President Donald Trump’s administration. He has urged the United States to drop military support for Ukraine despite also providing Starlink satellites for Ukrainian troops.

Relations between the U.S. and Ukraine have deteriorated since Trump began his second term in January, and they soured further after Vice President JD Vance and Trump held a combative meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in front of reporters.

While the Biden administration provided military aid and diplomatic support to Ukraine amid the war, Trump has argued that the country must accept some concessions to bring a quick end to the conflict, leaving him at odds with many European leaders who believe Ukraine should be given aid to push back against an illegal invasion, and who fear Russia will not stop the incursion at Ukraine’s borders.

What to Know

Kelly went to Ukraine at the beginning of March. After his visit, he posted a long thread to X detailing his experiences and his thoughts on the U.S.’ current foreign policy.

Within the thread, he said: “Donald Trump is trying to weaken Ukraine’s hand and we are owed an explanation. If Putin gains ground he won’t agree to a ceasefire and will eventually threaten a NATO ally and this puts American troops and the American people at risk.

“Hospitals should never be targets in war, but Putin is a war criminal who targets hospitals routinely. I visited one in Kyiv. Injured soldiers told me how they want to get back to the fight. Nurses there shared their stories of the invasion with me through tears. Stories of violence that women and children of Ukraine suffered during the invasion. These nurses told me how they witnessed Russian soldiers r*ping children in front of their parents and then murdering these children in front of their parents. Horrendous war crimes which can never be forgiven. Donald Trump says he trusts Putin and is trying to make him look like a friend and a good guy. I look forward to seeing Putin rot in prison.”

Following this, Musk, who has been firing veterans through his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) program, called Kelly a “traitor.” Vance previously called diplomatic trips to Ukraine “propaganda tours.”

“I swore an oath to our Constitution. I have lived that oath my entire life,” Kelly told Maddow. “The only oath I can think of that maybe Elon has sworn is an oath to his own checking account.”

The Trump administration’s argument for removing aid from Ukraine is that Trump wants the war to come to an end, and believes that it will only end if Ukraine stops fighting. Trump has also said that Ukraine is responsible for starting the war with Russia.

“Ukraine did not start this war, and they did not ask for the constant missile and drone attacks that have terrorized the population,” Kelly said. “Government officials who can’t acknowledge factual information should reevaluate their career choices.”

The administration also insists that Zelensky should pay the U.S. back via a rare minerals deal and that the country should hold elections, a very difficult thing to do during war time. Trump called Zelensky a dictator in February, but then appeared to either forget that he said it, or walk it back when asked about it by the press.

What People Are Saying

Trump adviser Roger Stone on X: “What freedom exist in Ukraine. Selensky [sic.] cancel elections, arrest opponents shut down TV and radio stations as well as newspapers and has the largest church in the country.”

Kelly on X: “The world will become a very cold and lonely place if we continue this ridiculous “screw you, go it alone” foreign policy. It’s dumb and it won’t age well and puts you and your kids and your grandkids at risk. America is the strongest, richest country in the world. We didn’t get there by being bullies like Putin, we got there by leading from the front and bringing our allies. That’s why I’ll continue to share with everyone who will listen why we must keep supporting Ukraine.”

What Happens Next

Ukraine is struggling without U.S. aid, and Musk appears to also be pressing for the U.S. to leave NATO entirely, leaving European countries without the monetary and man-power backing they need.

This story mentions sexual assault. If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual violence, you can contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-4673, or contact the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) helpline via their website rainn.org.