WASHINGTON – A heated exchange erupted between Elon Musk and US Senator Mark Kelly on social media following Kelly’s visit to Ukraine.

Mark Kelly recently traveled to Ukraine, meeting soldiers, medical workers, and civilians affected by the war. After his visit, Musk criticized him, calling him a “traitor” on X (formerly Twitter). Kelly responded, saying, “If you don’t understand that defending freedom is the foundation of America, maybe you should leave it to those who do.” He also remarked that Musk should “focus on making rockets” instead of engaging in political debates.

The disagreement reflects the ongoing political divide in the US regarding Ukraine. While Kelly and the Democrats advocate continued support for Ukraine, Musk and some conservatives question the policy.

Speaking on Capitol Hill, Kelly accused Musk of prioritizing billionaire tax cuts over national interests and veterans. The senator’s Ukraine visit came after a tense White House meeting between President Zelensky and Donald Trump.

Musk has previously made controversial statements about Ukraine, including allegations that he prevented a Ukrainian attack on Russia’s naval fleet in 2023, which sparked widespread criticism.