Billionaire Elon Musk has accepted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s challenge to fight him on national television. The SpaceX and Tesla chief and owner of social network X took to his platform to respond to Maduro’s challenge. “I accept,” he tweeted, sparking a flurry of reactions online.
The animosity between Musk and Maduro has been brewing for some time amid political turmoil in Caracas. Maduro, whose victory in recent elections has been widely disputed, has found an enemy in Musk, a staunch ultra-capitalist and supporter of Donald Trump. This ideological clash has pitted billionaire Musk against Maduro, a socialist leader who rose from humble beginnings as a bus driver to preside over the oil-rich but economically struggling nation.
Maduro has accused Musk of plotting attacks against Venezuela, alleging that the tech giant was behind an alleged “computer hacking” at the National Electoral Council (CNE). The CNE controversially declared Maduro the winner of the latest vote without providing detailed data, leading to allegations of manipulation.
Following public comments by Musk against him, Maduro responded, saying, “Social media creates a virtual reality, and who controls virtual reality? Our new archenemy, the famous Elon Musk,” he began his speech. “Do you want to fight? Let’s do it. Elon Musk, I’m ready,” Maduro said. “I’m not afraid of you, Elon Musk. Let’s fight, wherever you want.”
Musk responded to many people who reacted to the development by visiting X. In one particular post, Musk called Maduro a “big guy” while taking a dig at Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, calling him a “little guy.”
“Maduro himself is a big guy and probably knows how to fight, so it will be a real fight. Zuckerberg is a small guy, so it will be a small fight,” he posted.
Maduro himself is a big guy and probably knows how to fight, so it would be a real fight.
Zuke is a small guy, so it’ll be a small fight.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 31, 2024
Musk bet, “If I win, he will resign as the dictator of Venezuela. If he wins, I will give him a free trip to Mars.”
If I win, he will resign as dictator of Venezuela.
If he wins I’ll give him a free trip to Mars.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 31, 2024
Following Venezuela’s election results, Musk expressed his disagreement, calling Maduro a “dictator” and describing the election as “ridiculous”. He also posted the US Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) 2020 announcement about criminal charges against Maduro for drug trafficking, including a $15 million reward for information leading to his arrest.
Maduro’s response was furious. “He wants to come here to invade Venezuela with his guns and army. Elon Musk, good that you showed your face because we knew you were behind this! With your money and your satellites,” Maduro claimed.
Musk’s reply was sharp and in Spanish: “The donkey knows more than Maduro.” He later apologized sarcastically, saying, “Sorry for comparing a dirty donkey to Maduro. It was an insult to the animal kingdom.”
