**Russia Offers Asylum to Elon Musk Amid Feud with Trump**
In a surprising move, Russia is prepared to offer political asylum to tech billionaire Elon Musk if needed. This comes after Musk’s public feud with U.S. President Donald Trump escalated in recent days.
According to Dmitry Novikov, deputy chair of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs, Russia could provide asylum to Musk if required. However, he believes that the billionaire won’t need such protection due to his influential position.
The tensions between Musk and Trump began when Musk criticized the administration’s tax proposal, known as the “Big Beautiful Bill.” The plan aims to reduce the U.S. deficit but economists warn it could expand by $600 billion. Trump responded with personal attacks on Musk, calling him “crazy.”
**A Shift in Loyalties?**
Musk’s relationship with Russia is becoming increasingly cozy. As head of a temporary federal commission, he led efforts to dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which has provided over $37 billion in aid to Ukraine.
Despite his initial support for Ukraine and provision of Starlink satellite systems to bolster military communications, Musk has started echoing Russian narratives. He has falsely claimed that President Volodymyr Zelensky has little support in Ukraine and accused Kyiv of waging a “never-ending draft meat grinder.”
**Russian Officials Praise Musk**
Musk’s comments have earned praise from Russian officials and propagandists. State TV hosts and military bloggers now view the billionaire as a sympathetic figure, possibly due to his anti-Ukraine stance.
**What Does This Mean for Russia?**
Russia’s willingness to offer asylum to Musk suggests that they are eager to capitalize on the growing rift between him and Trump. By doing so, Moscow can further undermine U.S.-Ukrainian ties and strengthen its own narrative about the conflict in Ukraine.
This move also highlights Russia’s ability to influence high-profile figures like Musk, who has a significant following worldwide. It remains to be seen how this will impact the global tech community and Musk’s relationships with other world leaders.
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