John Kelly, a veteran with an illustrious career both in the military and at NASA, finds himself at the center of a controversy sparked by tech billionaire Elon Musk. The dispute arose following Kelly's recent visit to Ukraine, where he showed support for the nation amidst its ongoing conflict with Russia. Musk labeled Kelly a "traitor" for his actions, prompting a strong response from the former astronaut and naval officer.
John Kelly's career is marked by significant contributions to national service. He dedicated 25 years to the United States Navy and flew combat missions during the first Gulf War. His commitment extended into space exploration, where he spent 15 years at NASA, flying the space shuttle and risking his life for scientific advancement. Recently, Kelly has visited Ukraine three times, with his latest visit aimed at supporting Ukraine's fight against Russian aggression.
During his recent trip to Ukraine, Kelly visited a hospital where he met with a wounded Ukrainian soldier. His visit was part of his broader effort to stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people. In response to Elon Musk's accusation of being a traitor for visiting Ukraine, Kelly firmly defended his actions. He recalled the oath he swore at the age of 22, pledging to protect and defend the Constitution.
Kelly has not hesitated to voice his criticism of Elon Musk, particularly concerning Musk's management decisions that have led to sweeping cuts in federal budgets and staffing. Kelly has defended veterans affected by these actions, emphasizing their unwarranted dismissal under Musk's oversight.
“The only oath I can think of that maybe Elon has sworn is an oath to his own checking account, to his pocket book, an oath maybe to ruining the lives of veterans.” – Mark Kelly
Kelly shared that veterans who had previously received commendable performance reports were unceremoniously fired via email under Musk’s management. He highlighted the adverse impact on these individuals' lives and questioned the fairness of such actions.
“I had veterans in my office last week who, after really good performance reports, found out that Elon Musk fired them for poor performance. He was ruining these people’s lives … they did not deserve to get fired by an email from an unelected billionaire.” – Mark Kelly
Despite facing criticism from figures like Senator Bernie Sanders for his outspoken stance against Musk, Kelly remains resolute in his support for veterans and his advocacy for Ukraine. He has utilized social media platforms to share his experiences and express solidarity with Ukrainians, posting photos and a detailed statement about his visit.