Republican Pushes Back on Elon Musk Calling Democrat a ‘Traitor’
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A Republican congressman spoke out Monday against SpaceX CEO Elon Musk after the world’s richest man called Democratic Senator Mark Kelly a “traitor” following Kelly’s visit to Ukraine.
The Context
The Trump administration recently paused security assistance to Ukraine following a disastrous Oval Office meeting between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, during which Trump and Vice President JD Vance berated Zelensky and accused him of “gambling with World War III.”
Kelly, who represents Arizona in the Senate, visited Ukraine recently and posted a lengthy thread on X, formerly Twitter, about the visit on Sunday evening reiterating his support for the embattled country and emphasizing that Russian President Vladimir Putin is responsible for the war.
Republican U.S. Representative Don Bacon of Nebraska speaks with a reporter at the U.S. Capitol on September 12, 2023. Republican U.S. Representative Don Bacon of Nebraska speaks with a reporter at the U.S. Capitol on September 12, 2023. Francis Chung/Politico via AP Images
What To Know
In response to Kelly’s thread, Musk, who has repeatedly called for the U.S. to cut off security assistance to Ukraine, called the Arizona Democrat a “traitor.”
Kelly hit back at Musk, writing on X: “Traitor? 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.”
Shortly after, Republican Representative Don Bacon of Nebraska publicly backed Kelly and criticized Musk.
“It’s not decent, it’s not right,” Bacon told CNN’s Manu Raju. “I don’t agree with Senator Kelly on some things, but we don’t call each other a traitor, and I think it reflects bad on the White House.”
When Raju asked Bacon why he thought Musk’s comments reflected badly on the White House, the Nebraska lawmaker replied: “Because he represents the White House when he says that. And also going after the foreign minister of Poland, I don’t think’s right either. I respect Elon and all that he’s done, but call people traitors and names that are foreign leaders …”
Bacon added: “His job was to do an audit of what we’re spending on, I think we should have more discussion for when we fire people, cut people, know what the consequences are, but it doesn’t reflect well on our country when this goes on.”
Musk’s attack on Kelly and Bacon’s subsequent pushback came on the same day U.S. and Ukrainian officials met in Saudi Arabia to discuss a potential ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia and the resumption of U.S. military support for Ukraine.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio was among the officials who attended from the American side, while the Ukrainian delegation included Zelensky’s chief of staff, foreign minister, defense minister and deputy head of the Presidential Office.
Trump and Zelensky did not attend the meeting, though Zelensky met separately with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
What People Are Saying
Kelly wrote in his thread on X: “Ukraine did not start this war, and they did not ask for the constant missile and drone attacks that have terrorized the population. Government officials who can’t acknowledge factual information should reevaluate their career choices.”
Zelensky said in a video address late Sunday: “We hope for results, both in bringing peace closer and in continuing support.”
What Happens Next
It remains to be seen whether the two sides will reach an agreement favorable to Ukraine.
Zelensky on Monday posted to social media: “Ukraine has been seeking peace since the very first second of the war, and we have always said that the only reason it continues is Russia.”
This story is developing and will be updated as more information becomes available.
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