In a move laden with geopolitical theater, a senior Russian lawmaker has floated the idea of offering political asylum to Elon Musk—an extraordinary gesture that underscores just how far the billionaire has drifted from former ally President Donald Trump. The proposal, while likely symbolic, reflects the global fascination with the pair’s unraveling relationship and comes amid renewed U.S.-Russia tensions over stalled Ukraine ceasefire negotiations.
Dmitry Novikov, a top figure on the State Duma’s Committee on International Affairs, told Russian state media that Musk would be “welcome” to seek protection in Russia should he ever request it, according to The Washington Post. Though delivered with caveats about Musk’s independence, the remark was clearly timed to exploit the deepening feud between the Tesla CEO and Trump, which erupted this week in full view of the public.
At the center of the rift is Trump’s proposed “One Big Beautiful Bill,” a sweeping legislative package that fuses tax cuts with funding for immigration enforcement and border infrastructure. Musk, long a vocal opponent of federal waste, attacked the bill as fiscally reckless—especially after Trump eliminated electric vehicle subsidies. Trump fired back online, accusing Musk of going “CRAZY” after losing government perks for the EV industry.
At the center of the conflict, allegedly, lies Trump’s decisions about NASA’s future, something near and dear to the heart of the eccentric billionaire.
The war of words has laid bare a once-close alliance forged on shared commitments to deregulation and government streamlining. Musk has publicly claimed credit for Trump’s political fortunes, even asserting that without his backing, Democrats would control Congress. That narrative—along with his increasingly hostile tone—has prompted speculation about Musk’s political ambitions and future allegiances.
Whether Musk produces evidence to support his more inflammatory claims remains to be seen. But the Kremlin’s unsolicited offer—however unserious—illustrates the degree to which the Musk-Trump feud has transcended domestic politics and entered the realm of international spectacle.
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