During a heated Fox News interview on Thursday, tech billionaire Elon Musk defended his controversial comment calling Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) a “traitor” over the legislator’s advocacy for continued Ukraine aid. The exchange began when host Brett Baier questioned Musk about his harsh characterization of Kelly, who had recently visited Ukraine and promoted ongoing U.S. military support.
Musk forcefully responded that American officials should prioritize U.S. interests above those of other nations, arguing that failing to do so amounts to betrayal. When Baier highlighted Kelly’s credentials as a decorated veteran, former astronaut, and sitting senator, Musk remained unmoved, insisting that such background did not justify placing another country’s interests ahead of America’s.
The Tesla CEO grew increasingly passionate as he discussed the human cost of the ongoing conflict, expressing deep concern about the daily casualties in Ukraine’s trenches. He specifically criticized those who advocate for continued resistance against Russia without offering concrete solutions to end the bloodshed, describing their stance as empty virtue signaling that ignores the tragic reality of fathers and sons losing their lives “for nothing.”
Senator Kelly later appeared on CNN to respond to Musk’s accusations, defending his position by emphasizing his lifelong dedication to serving America. The Arizona Democrat maintained that supporting U.S. allies and defending democracy directly serves American interests. Kelly also suggested that Musk maintained closer ties to Russia, though the implication remained somewhat unclear.
The exchange occurred against the backdrop of recent statements by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has questioned the legitimacy of Ukraine’s government and proposed implementing temporary UN-supervised governance to facilitate new elections in the country. Putin has indicated his unwillingness to negotiate with what he considers an illegitimate administration.
During the same Fox News appearance, Musk, who serves as a special adviser to President Donald Trump, also addressed domestic policy matters, particularly regarding Social Security. As head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Musk assured viewers that their efforts to combat fraud would actually increase benefits for legitimate recipients, not reduce them.
While specific details about how DOGE’s initiatives would boost Social Security payments weren’t provided, Musk expressed confidence that his prediction would prove accurate. The department has identified significant fraud in the Social Security system, claiming that approximately 40% of calls to Social Security administration come from fraudsters attempting to redirect benefit payments.
Throughout the interview, Musk emphasized the practical impact of policy decisions over symbolic gestures, maintaining his criticism of what he views as performative support for Ukraine that fails to address the conflict’s mounting human toll. His comments highlight the growing debate over the scale and duration of U.S. support for Ukraine, as well as broader questions about balancing international commitments with domestic priorities. The exchange also underscores the increasingly prominent role of social media in shaping political discourse, with Musk’s initial criticism of Kelly having originated on the X platform.