Elon Musk is making headlines again, this time with a bold and cheeky remark at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in National Harbor, Maryland. When asked about speculation that he could be a Russian asset, the billionaire Tesla and SpaceX CEO fired back with a statement that had the crowd roaring: “He can’t afford me.”
During an interview with Newsmax’s Rob Schmitt, Musk—sporting his signature sunglasses—interrupted a question about Russia’s war with Ukraine to set the record straight. “People say, like, you know, ‘I’m a bought asset of Putin?’ I’m like, he can’t afford me.”
The audience erupted with laughter, with Schmitt responding, “I think you’re worth more than Russia.”
But Musk wasn’t just there for jokes. The billionaire, known for his outspoken views on global politics, also weighed in on the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. He emphasized the human toll of the conflict, urging people to consider the real cost.
“First of all, we should have empathy for people dying on the front lines. That’s the most important thing. How many more years is this supposed to go on? Imagine if this was your son or father. What are they dying for? The line of engagement has barely moved for two years, and a whole bunch of people have died,” Musk stated.
Musk has been vocal about his skepticism regarding continued U.S. financial support for Ukraine, previously calling for a full audit of the billions in aid. At CPAC, he doubled down on his concerns, describing the war effort as “the biggest grift machine I’ve ever seen in my life.”
“People are dead in the trenches for what? The amount of money taken in grift and bribery is disgusting. Poor guys are being sent into a meat grinder for money, and it needs to stop,” he said.
Musk’s comments come as former President Donald Trump faces backlash for calling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a “dictator without elections” and suggesting that Ukraine initiated the war. While Musk didn’t directly endorse Trump’s remarks, his criticism of the war’s handling aligns with growing skepticism among conservative circles about continued U.S. involvement in Ukraine’s defense.
With Musk’s latest comments sparking debate, one thing is clear—he isn’t backing down from controversy anytime soon.
