During an interview with the editor‑in‑chief of the Economist, Elon Musk objected to the characterization of his political views as sympathetic to the far right. He rejected the label and said he supports "normal people." The interview was released on Thursday.
Later, Musk reacted to a post by Rael Braverman, a member of the UK’s Reform UK party and husband of former home secretary Suella Braverman, by calling the journalist a "traitor to the West." The remark quickly spread across social media platforms.
Chef José Andrés, who served as co‑chair of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition under the Biden administration and leads the humanitarian organization World Central Kitchen, replied to Musk with a mild suggestion: he should drink a glass of water before tweeting and stressed that a journalist asking tough questions is not an enemy of humanity. Andrés added that Musk sounded and acted like a tyrant and urged him to change his behavior.
Musk’s terse, insulting reply prompted a wave of responses. Many users sided with Andrés, highlighting his charitable work, while others defended Musk. The exchange illustrated how quickly disagreements between prominent figures can escalate in the online sphere.