Elon Musk Sparks Controversy by Insulting ISS Commander Amid Political Space Feud
Billionaire and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has once again found himself at the center of controversy after using offensive language in a public dispute with former International Space Station (ISS) commander Andreas Mogensen.
The feud began when Musk claimed that two NASA astronauts, Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, had been “left behind” on the ISS for political reasons. Mogensen quickly fired back, calling Musk’s statement a “lie.”
In response, Musk took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) and lashed out, using an offensive slur against Mogensen.
Musk escalated the situation further by calling for the shutdown of the ISS, claiming that the space station had “served its purpose” after more than two decades of operation. The ISS is set to be deorbited by 2030, but Musk’s remarks could have political consequences, especially given SpaceX’s role as a key NASA contractor.
Former President Donald Trump has also weighed in on the issue, criticizing the Biden administration for “almost abandoning” the astronauts on the ISS and entrusting Musk and SpaceX with their return. However, Williams and Wilmore have denied being stranded, stating that their return to Earth aboard a SpaceX spacecraft was already scheduled for March, per plans set in September of the previous year.
This is not the first time Musk has sparked outrage with his words. Recently, he agreed with a social media post calling Americans “stupid” while defending the hiring of foreign workers for high-tech jobs. This has led to significant backlash. (ibtimes.com)
Musk’s use of offensive language and his controversial statements continue to raise questions about his role in managing key technology companies and his influence on U.S. space policy.
