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The growing feud between Senator Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) and billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk took another heated turn on Thursday, as the Arizona senator fired back at Musk’s recent comments questioning his loyalty to the United States. Musk, who has made headlines for his outspoken opinions on a variety of issues, sparked outrage when he accused Kelly of putting foreign interests above the U.S. during an interview with Fox News.
In a clash that’s seen tensions rise over everything from the war in Ukraine to government efficiency, Kelly, a decorated combat veteran, former astronaut, and sitting U.S. Senator, didn’t hold back. He sharply criticized Musk’s stance, questioning the billionaire’s allegiance and drawing attention to Musk’s own controversial statements on government policies, social security, and even his stance on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Musk, whose public persona and influence on social media have made him a lightning rod for controversy, had previously accused Kelly of being a "traitor" on X (formerly Twitter) after Kelly made a visit to Ukraine. The visit was meant to assess how fluctuating U.S. support for Ukraine was impacting the morale of the Ukrainian people amidst their ongoing battle against Russia.
Musk’s accusation came just as Kelly’s trip was attracting attention for its focus on U.S. foreign policy and military support for Ukraine.
In his tweet, Musk suggested that Kelly was more interested in advancing the interests of Ukraine than those of the United States, fueling an already divisive political debate about the extent of U.S. involvement in foreign conflicts.
Senator Kelly, whose distinguished career spans military service in combat missions over Iraq, a tenure as a NASA astronaut, and several years in the Senate, was quick to respond to Musk’s accusations. During an appearance on CNN’s Erin Burnett OutFront, Kelly expressed his surprise at the nature of Musk’s comments and, in his typical direct style, questioned the billionaire’s true loyalties.
“I mean, who is Elon standing with at this point? A bunch of billionaires,” Kelly said during the interview. His pointed remark came after Musk had doubled down on his claim that Kelly was putting foreign interests above the needs of the United States, stating on Fox News that anyone who fails to prioritize America’s interests is a “traitor.”
Musk’s criticism of Kelly seemed to stem from the senator’s vocal support for Ukraine, which has become one of the most divisive issues in U.S. politics today. While Kelly has supported U.S. assistance to Ukraine in its war against Russia, Musk has suggested that the U.S. should limit its involvement, citing the need to prioritize American interests above international conflicts.
During his appearance on Fox News, Musk went further, reiterating his position on loyalty to the United States. Musk, who was born in South Africa, became a Canadian citizen before eventually naturalizing as an American, has long made his political opinions known.
In his interview with Bret Baier, Musk once again called Kelly a “traitor,” asserting that any U.S. official who places another country’s interests above those of the U.S. is guilty of betrayal.
“I think somebody should care about the interests of the United States above the interests of another country. If they don’t, they’re a traitor,” Musk said, clearly firm in his stance. When Baier pointed out Kelly’s decorated service record, which includes his time as a Navy combat pilot and astronaut, Musk was unmoved, stating that Kelly’s service didn’t excuse his actions in supporting Ukraine over American interests.
“That doesn’t mean it’s OK for him to put the interests of another country above America,” Musk said. This assertion ignited a firestorm, with Kelly responding by highlighting his decades of service to the United States and questioning whether Musk’s own contributions to the nation were as honorable.
In his retort, Kelly emphasized his long career of service to the U.S., which includes flying combat missions in Iraq, serving on the space shuttle, and now representing the people of Arizona in the U.S. Senate. Kelly said that while he was unsure whether Musk’s remarks warranted a response, he nonetheless felt compelled to remind the public of his commitment to defending his country.
“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 stated. “My entire life has been about serving this country.”
Kelly made it clear that, in his view, Musk’s criticisms were misplaced and lacked the merit of someone who had dedicated their life to public service.
Kelly also contrasted his own record of service with Musk’s actions. Musk has been vocal about his efforts to reduce the size of the federal government, including calling for cuts to federal agencies such as the U.S.
Agency for International Development (USAID). Kelly, however, took issue with what he saw as Musk’s disregard for the larger public good, suggesting that Musk’s financial interests, along with his stance on government efficiency, put him at odds with working Americans and their needs.
In addition to the Ukraine issue, Musk has attracted criticism for his comments about Social Security, which he recently called “the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time.” Many Democrats, including Kelly, have responded strongly to these remarks, accusing Musk of using his platform to push for cuts to Social Security and other vital public programs, potentially to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy.
Kelly pointed out that Musk’s position seemed to align more with a billionaire’s interests than with those of everyday Americans who rely on these programs.
In a broader criticism, Kelly asked, “Who is Elon standing with at this point? A bunch of billionaires,” drawing attention to what he perceived as Musk’s increasing alignment with wealthy elites rather than the working-class citizens who make up much of America. Kelly suggested that Musk’s involvement in the political sphere had shifted from advocating for innovation and technology to using his platform to push for policies that would benefit the wealthy, even at the expense of the broader American population.
Perhaps most provocatively, Kelly also questioned Musk’s loyalty to the United States, pointing out that Musk’s stance on the Russia-Ukraine war seemed to echo the rhetoric of Russian President Vladimir Putin, a longstanding adversary of the United States. Kelly observed that Musk’s push for the U.S. to reduce its involvement in the conflict aligned more closely with Russian interests than with those of his own country.
“I would put Elon at this point in the category of being much closer to Russia on this issue,” Kelly said. The senator’s remark underscored the growing divide between Musk’s rhetoric on foreign policy and the broader consensus among U.S. lawmakers and military leaders on the importance of supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russia.
Kelly’s response added a layer of complexity to the ongoing feud, suggesting that Musk’s views on Ukraine, while popular among some, placed him in a position that was increasingly seen as contradictory to American interests. Musk, who has voiced concerns about the long-term cost and implications of U.S. involvement in Ukraine, now faces scrutiny not just for his business ventures but also for his growing influence on American foreign policy debates.
In closing, Kelly challenged Musk’s credibility, particularly in regard to his use of the term “traitor.” “I don’t think he’s a serious guy, and he hasn’t given this a lot of thought,” Kelly said, underscoring his belief that Musk’s inflammatory rhetoric was a distraction from the real issues at hand.
As the feud between Kelly and Musk continues, it is clear that both men represent vastly different approaches to the future of America. While Kelly remains focused on protecting U.S. interests and supporting international allies like Ukraine, Musk appears to advocate for a more isolationist approach, with an emphasis on cutting government spending and limiting U.S. involvement in global conflicts.
The clash between these two figures is far from over, and as the political discourse around U.S. foreign policy, government efficiency, and economic inequality heats up, it’s clear that Musk’s influence in the public sphere will continue to generate debate.
