Russia has stepped into the fray between tech mogul Elon Musk and former U.S. President Donald Trump. The Kremlin is now offering political asylum to Musk, following a turbulent week that saw his ties with Trump deteriorate and Tesla stock take a dive.
Musk’s highly publicized fallout with Trump marks the collapse of what was once described as a “great relationship” between two of the world’s most influential figures. With Musk now sidelined from the political circles of Washington, the Kremlin has sensed an opening and responded with an unexpected gesture of support.
Dmitry Novikov, deputy chair of Russia’s State Duma Committee on International Affairs, commented on the situation during a press briefing. According to him, Musk appears to be navigating a “completely different game” when it comes to politics, and may not even require asylum.
However, Novikov did not rule out Russia’s willingness to offer sanctuary. “If he does need it, Russia, of course, could provide it,” he stated. He added that Musk has already engaged in “a certain political communication” over the years, suggesting he’s no stranger to navigating diplomatic minefields.
The remarks come at a time when tensions between Musk and Trump have reached new heights, with Trump comparing their feud to “two young children fighting in a park.” The comment, intended to downplay the drama, only added more fuel to the media frenzy.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov also weighed in, emphasizing that the Trump-Musk spat is “an internal US matter.” Still, he hinted at deeper concerns, asserting that issues involving prominent foreign figures like Musk can touch on Russia’s “national interests” and long-term security.
Peskov was quick to point out that despite the drama, Russia has no intent to interfere directly. “Sometimes you’re better off letting them fight for a while and then pulling them apart,” he remarked, referring to Trump’s own analogy.
Analysts suggest the Kremlin’s gesture may be more about optics than practicality, aiming to position Russia as a haven for controversial Western figures.
Meanwhile, Musk’s business empire is also feeling the tremors. Tesla’s stock plunged amid the political controversy, raising questions about investor confidence.
