1-8-2024 (SAN FRANCISCO) SpaceX CEO and social media mogul Elon Musk has accepted a challenge to “fight” issued by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. This unusual confrontation between a tech billionaire and a national leader has set the stage for what could be one of the most bizarre political spectacles in recent memory.
The saga began when President Maduro, in a fiery video address, launched a verbal tirade against Musk, accusing the entrepreneur of harbouring intentions to invade Venezuela with his space rockets. Maduro’s impassioned speech, delivered while brandishing a mobile phone, painted Musk as a desperate figure who had “gone off the rails”.
JUST IN: Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro labels Elon Musk his “archenemy” and says he is trying to invade Venezuela with his rockets.
He sounds just like U.S. politicians.
“Our new archenemy, the famous Elon Musk. Who desperately shows his face and he would like to come… pic.twitter.com/pfkLqJ9x85
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) July 29, 2024
“Elon Musk, whoever messes with me dries up. Whoever messes with Venezuela dries up,” Maduro declared, his voice charged with nationalistic fervour. The Venezuelan leader, invoking the spirits of Simón Bolívar and Hugo Chávez, challenged Musk to a confrontation, stating, “Let’s go at it, wherever you want, as we say in Caracas in the neighbourhoods.”
In a characteristically terse response that has become his hallmark on the X platform (formerly Twitter), Musk simply replied: “I accept.” This two-word answer has since ignited a firestorm of speculation and commentary across social media channels worldwide.
JUST IN: Elon Musk accepts Venezuelan Dictator Nicolás Maduro’s challenge to a fight.
Just when you thought 2024 couldn’t get any crazier.
Maduro: “Elon Musk. Whoever messes with me, dries up. Whoever messes with Venezuela dries up, Elon Musk.
You want to fight? Let’s have… pic.twitter.com/rqvCphOsuJ
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) July 31, 2024
The peculiar exchange comes in the wake of Venezuela’s recent presidential election, where Maduro claimed victory with over 50% of the vote – a result hotly contested by opposition forces who allege electoral irregularities. Musk, known for his often controversial online presence, had shared videos of Venezuelans purportedly tearing down images of Maduro and toppling statues of former leader Hugo Chávez, further stoking tensions between the tech entrepreneur and the South American nation’s government.
I’m coming for you Maduro! ????????
I will carry you to Gitmo on a donkey ???? https://t.co/RB5qltxsYI
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 1, 2024
