Billionaire Elon Musk has accepted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s challenge to a fight, saying he would “carry him to Gitmo on a donkey.”
Mr. Musk, owner of X and SpaceX, said he was coming for Mr. Maduro in a response to conservative social media influencer Miles Ian Cheong.
Mr. Cheong on Thursday posted a video that he said shows Mr. Maduro ordering his security forces to keep Mr. Musk out of the country at “all costs.”
The war of words between the socialist leader and the leading capitalist began after the results of Sunday’s election in Venezuela were announced, in which Mr. Maduro and his opposition rival both claimed victory. Western nations have criticized the fairness and transparency of the election.
Mr. Musk accused Mr. Maduro of massive election fraud, and the president in turn accused the tech billionaire of orchestrating a cyber attack against his country’s National Electoral Council. Mr. Maduro subsequently proposed a fight with Mr. Musk.
“Social media creates a virtual reality, and who controls the virtual reality? Our new archenemy, the famous Elon Musk, do you want to fight? Let’s do it. Elon Musk, I’m ready. I’m not afraid of you, Elon Musk. Let’s fight, wherever you want,” Mr. Maduro said.
Mr. Musk agreed, saying that if he wins, Mr. Maduro must resign his office in Venezuela. He offered the president a free ride to Mars if he loses.
• Vaughn Cockayne can be reached at vcockayne@washingtontimes.com.
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