Mark Kelly wins Internet's support as he blasts Elon Musk for calling him 'traitor' for visiting Ukraine

WASHINGTON, DC: Tesla CEO Elon Musk is being slammed by netizens after he infamously called the Arizona Senator Mark Kelly a “traitor” following the Democrat’s support to war-ravaged Ukraine. 

The 61-year-old retired astronaut-turned-politician recently visited Ukraine amid the country’s ongoing three-year war with Russia. 

However, as the politician made a post championing to “protect Ukraine’s security,” he was brutally criticized by the head of President Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the Irish Star reported.

Elon Musk and Mark Kelly engage in social media battle over senator’s Ukraine visit

The social media altercation between the billionaire tech tycoon and the former US Navy combat pilot-turned-Arizona senator took place after the latter publicly showed his support for the east European nation amid its ongoing war with Russia. 

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Kelly wrote, "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.”

However, his words did not sit well with the SpaceX founder, who replied to Kelly, “You are a traitor.”

Now, Kelly has responded to Musk's claims 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," he wrote.

Ukrainian Ambassador Olexander Scherba also called out the Tesla boss for his remark. 

“You should be ashamed of yourself. The man fought for America. He is with those fighting for freedom. What have you ever fought aside from drug addiction?” asked Scherba. 

Speaking to NBC News about Musk’s remark, Kelly shared, "I’ve sworn an oath to this country, I’ve flown in combat, I served in the Navy for 25 years. It appears to me the oath that Elon Musk stands by is the oath to billionaires to make their lives easier, not the American people, not veterans.” 

Elon Musk slammed by social media users who rallied behind Senator Mark Kelly

Users on social media slammed Tesla CEO Elon Musk for calling Senator Mark Kelly a "traitor." Some even called the Tesla boss a "foreigner masquerading as a hero."

One of the social media users said on X, "I don’t know what values Elon lives by, but it’s definitely not freedom and liberty."

Someone else added, "Reminder that ELON fled South Africa in order to avoid mandatory service in their armed forces."

Another user noted, "Something very serious is going on with Elon."

"Senator Mark Kelly understands that the defense of freedom, liberty, and our democracy, doesn’t cease at our shorelines," declared another fan of the Democratic politician, while adding, "Senator Kelly is one of the good guys."

"Don’t worry sir, he is pissed because you went to space and have been elected when he did neither," noted someone else. 

Another enraged user penned, "Thank you for your many years of service Senator Kelly... Musk has lost me with this one..."

Someone else noted, "Really, Elon, no one elected you! Your position is not official, nor approved by SCOTUS. Everyone of your decisions should be investigated by a non partisan commission."

"Mark Kelly is an American patriot," declared another user, referencing the multi-hyphenate, before slamming the X owner, "Elon Musk is a foreigner masquerading as a hero."

"Perfect response. Defending democracy and standing by allies isn’t betrayal - it’s LEADERSHIP. Funny how some billionaires think patriotism means siding with authoritarians instead of those actually fighting for freedom," chimed in another. 

Someone else mused, "He meant 'Traitor to the Oligarchy' All good Senator, you're on the right side of history and the people!!"

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.