Russians Respond with Mockery to Trump-Musk Feud

A senior Russian official has said the Kremlin could offer Elon Musk political asylum following the tech billionaire’s feud with U.S. President Donald Trump, a row that has prompted mockery in Moscow.

Dmitry Novikov, deputy chair of the Russian State Duma Committee on International Affairs, told state-run news agency TASS on Friday that if Musk needed political asylum “Russia could certainly provide it.”

Tensions began simmering when Musk, the world’s wealthiest man, criticized a sweeping tax and spending proposal by the U.S president.

Musk called it a “disgusting abomination,” “massive, outrageous,” and “pork-filled,” arguing it would increase the U.S. deficit and undermine the budget cuts sought by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which he previously led.

Musk’s 130-day spell as head of the department ended on May 30.

Barbs online

The conflict escalated on Thursday, with both men trading barbs online. Trump posted on his Truth Social platform, calling Musk “CRAZY.”

He also threatened to terminate government subsidies and contracts for Musk’s companies, such as Tesla and SpaceX, claiming it would save “Billions and Billions of Dollars.”

Musk fired back on X, calling Trump’s claims “an obvious lie.” He also alleged, without evidence, that Trump appears in unreleased Jeffrey Epstein files, implying a cover-up.

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He was referring to a collection of court documents and evidence lists from investigations and lawsuits related to deceased U.S. financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Ridicule from Russia

Dmitry Medvedev, a senior security official and former Russian president, posted mockingly: “We are ready to facilitate the conclusion of a peace deal between D and E for a reasonable fee and to accept Starlink shares as payment. Don’t fight, guys!”

Some Russian commentators picked up on the notion that the feud preoccupying Washington could benefit Moscow.

“We can just be glad that they won’t have time for us,” said Konstantin Malofeyev, a hardline nationalist tycoon, who added that it was now “the best time to strike back” against Ukraine.

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