Dem Senator Musk Smeared as ‘Traitor’ Takes Personal Revenge
Arizona Senator Mark Kelly told his followers that he’s ready for a new ride.
Elizabeth Frantz/REUTERS
Democrat Sen. Mark Kelly announced Friday that he’s ditching his Tesla after Elon Musk called him a “traitor.”
He also made a not-so-subtle jab at the tech billionaire. “I don’t want to be driving a car built and designed by an a--h--e,” he said in a video he posted to X.
I bought a Tesla because it was fast like a rocket ship. But now every time I drive it, I feel like a rolling billboard for a man dismantling our government and hurting people. So Tesla, you’re fired!
— Captain Mark Kelly (@CaptMarkKelly) March 14, 2025
New ride coming soon. pic.twitter.com/N4Anmsi6cH
“I bought a Tesla because it was fast like a rocket ship,” Kelly commented above the clip, possibly trolling Musk about his failed SpaceX launch last week when his rocket exploded middair. “But now every time I drive it, I feel like a rolling billboard for a man dismantling our government and hurting people.”
He said his new ride’s coming soon. “So Tesla, you’re fired!” he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
The senator got into an online feud with Musk, Trump’s “special government employee” after Kelly posted on X in support of Ukraine. The Democrat had described his heartbreaking trip to the war zone where he saw medical workers caring for a wounded soldier named Anton.
His post was a direct attack on Trump’s recent refusal to call Russia the aggressor in the war and decision to blame Ukraine instead.
Get the best of The Beast delivered right to your inbox
By clicking “SUBSCRIBE” you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
“There’s thousands of Ukrainian soldiers just like Anton, fighting to protect their home and their people from Russia’s invasion,” he wrote. “But now President Trump is risking each of them and their families to side with the war criminal Putin.”
He also told the president to “skip a round of golf and visit Ukraine!”
Musk reacted bitterly. “You are a traitor,” he told the decorated Navy veteran and former astronaut.
Musk called Kelly a "traitor."
Kent Nishimura/REUTERS/Kent Nishimura/REUTERS
Kelly shot back at Musk almost immediately. “If Elon thinks standing with Ukraine makes me a traitor, then he knows nothing about keeping America safe,” he posted on March 11. He added that he “swore an oath” to protect the Constitution when he was just 22, but Musk had only sworn to protect himself and “his billionaire buddies.”
Donald Trump met Elon Musk outside the White House this week to view and buy Teslas.
Kevin Lamarque/REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/REUTERS
His criticism comes as anti-Musk protestors are both boycotting and vandalizing the auto company. Trump, who viewed, tried and bought a Tesla this week when Musk brought several to his front door, said that the demonstrators will “go through hell” and even face domestic terrorism charges.
Kelly’s looking forward to his new ride and said he’s ready for an “upgrade.”
“It’s time to get rid of it,” he said. “Elon Musk kind of turned out to be an a--h--e.”
Register below to read this article for free or subscribe
to unlock unlimited access to The Daily Beast.
Monthly
$1
First month then $5.99/month
Annual
$35
First year then $59.99/year
Premium
$79
First year then $119.99/year
*Substack access provided by the next business day, using your subscription email. Choosing the Premium plan constitutes your permission to share your subscription email with Substack and your agreement to Substack’s Privacy Policy.
Already have an account? Sign In
Looks like you already have a subscription!
You're all set!
Thanks for subscribing.

