Bernie Sanders Says Musk Crossed The Line

Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) recently criticized tech billionaire Elon Musk for his harsh comments regarding Senator Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), calling them “disgusting” and completely unwarranted. Musk had accused Kelly of being a “traitor” for his visit to Ukraine, a trip that was aimed at gaining a better understanding of the situation on the ground and reinforcing U.S. support for Ukraine. Sanders, however, sharply disagrees with Musk’s assessment, particularly given Kelly’s background as a decorated former naval aviator.

Senator Sanders expressed his dismay at Musk’s attack on Kelly, pointing out that the Arizona senator had risked his life serving in the military and was merely doing his job as a public servant by traveling to Ukraine. Sanders told CNN’s Anderson Cooper that Musk’s criticism was “beyond the pale,” saying, “The American people are sick and tired of the wealthiest guy in the world running the United States government.” He further emphasized that Musk’s accusation of treason against a veteran who has served his country was nothing short of “unspeakable.”

This exchange began when Kelly posted a picture of himself next to a tank in Ukraine, sharing his views on the importance of continuing U.S. support for the country in the face of Russian aggression. In his post, Kelly warned that cutting off military aid to Ukraine would risk undoing the sacrifices of countless Ukrainians. Musk, who owns the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), responded by calling Kelly a traitor.

In response, Kelly fired back on the platform, telling Musk that if he didn’t understand the fundamental American values of defending freedom and ensuring national security, perhaps he should leave it to those who do. This public feud underscores the growing tension between Silicon Valley and elected officials, as Musk continues to weigh in on matters of foreign policy despite his non-political background.