You’re here (TSLA) – Get the Tesla Inc report CEO Elon Musk has never been afraid to confront his opponents publicly.
From his peers in Silicon Valley such as recently Bill Gates, the co-founder of the software giant Microsoft (MSFT) – Get the Microsoft Corporation report, to President Joe Biden, the richest man in the world fears no one. It’s one of the qualities his more than 91.5 million Twitter followers admire.
When the Russian invasion of Ukraine began on February 24, the serial entrepreneur was the first-ever CEO of a multinational to support Ukraine. Not only did Musk clearly choose Kyiv, but he also sent Starlink terminals, his aerospace company SpaceX’s satellite internet connection service, to Ukraine. Not only does Starlink allow Ukrainians independent access to the Internet, but the service keeps the country in touch with the outside world. Starlink is particularly used in areas bombed by Russia and remote areas.
The service also helps the Ukrainian authorities in the communication war against Moscow. Musk also challenged President Putin by offering him a duel to end this war. As of May 6, more than 3,150 civilians have been killed, countless buildings have been bombed.
‘If I die’
Nearly 5.8 million Ukrainians, around 14% of the country’s population, have become refugees after fleeing to neighboring countries.
Musk’s Ukrainian support has earned him criticism from some Putin loyalists who have insulted him. But the criticisms now seem to have turned into threats to the life of the billionaire. The tech mogul has just posted a message on his Twitter account from Dmitri Rogozin, the head of the Russian space agency Roscosmos.
“@Rogozin sent this to Russian media,” Musk wrote on Twitter on May 8. He then posted a screenshot of a text in Russian that would be the message sent to the Russian press by Rogozin.
According to the translation made by TheStreet, this text contains threats to the life of Musk.
“From the testimony of the captured Chief of Staff of the 36th Marine Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Colonel Dmitry Kormyankov, it appears that the ground subscriber equipment of the satellite company Starlink Elon Musk was delivered to militants of Nazism Battalion Azov and Marines of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in Mariupol by military helicopters,” Rogozin wrote.
“According to our information, the delivery and transfer to the Ukrainian Armed Forces of post office boxes for the reception and transmission of the Internet from Starlink was carried out by the Pentagon.”
He therefore concludes that “Elon Musk is thus involved in supplying the fascist forces in Ukraine with military communications”.
Then follows threats on the life of the CEO of Tesla.
“And for that you’ll have to respond in a grown-up way, Elon, no matter how you turn on the jerk.”
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In 2014, Rogozin was Deputy Prime Minister. At the time, Russia launched its first foray into Ukraine, seizing Crimea.
Musk seems to take these threats very seriously.
“If I die in mysterious circumstances, it’s nice to know you,” the billionaire posted. In a previous tweet, he questions Rogozin’s use of the word “Nazi”.
“The word ‘Nazi’ doesn’t mean what he seems to think it means,” the billionaire said.
A few hours after these tweets, Musk posted another in which he promises to do everything to stay alive.
“Sorry! I’ll do my best to stay alive,” the tycoon wrote.
“We must protect you at all costs”
TheStreet was unable to access Rogozin’s Twitter account which is only accessible after approval. TheStreet cannot confirm the text containing the threats and is therefore relying on messages from Musk.
It’s not the first time Rogozin has attacked Musk, but it’s the first time he’s threatened the billionaire. Rogozin has previously lashed out at Musk after he proposed the idea of a deadly fight between him and Putin.
“You little devil are still young,” Rogozin tweeted to Musk in March, quoting a fairy tale by Alexander Pushkin, a Russian poet known for disguising political messages in his stories. “Compete with me weak; it would just be a waste of time. First pass my brother.
Musk’s posts drew a big wave of sympathy from Twitter users. Many people ask him to reinforce the security around him.
“We must protect you at all costs,” said crypto investor and influencer Anthony Pompliano. “Humanity is counting on you.”
“If you feel the need, step up your security. The world needs you,” commented Tesla investor Sawyer Merritt.
“Do you suppose an assassination by Russian forces? said another user.
The threats against Musk come on the eve of May 9. The date, which celebrates the Soviet Union’s declaration of victory over Nazi Germany in 1945, has since been known as “Victory Day” in Russia and many post-Soviet states.