(Molly Bruns, Headline USA) Tesla CEO Elon Musk tweeted a challenge to Russian President Vladimir Putin, requesting an opportunity to meet him in single combat for the fate of Ukraine, Fox Business reported.
I hereby challenge
Владимир Путин
to single combatStakes are Україна
— Elona Musk (@elonmusk) March 14, 2022
“I hearby challenge Vladimir Putin to single combat,” the tweet reads. “Stakes are Ukraine.”
However, he was rebuffed with a statement from Russian offical Ramzan Kadyrov via Telegram:
Telegram post by Ramzan Kadyrov, head of Chechen Republic! pic.twitter.com/UyByR9kywq
— Elona Musk (@elonmusk) March 15, 2022
The statement insists Musk shouldn’t dare compare himself to Putin, as they are “in two completely different leagues.”
“Vladimir… will look unsportsmanlike when he beats the hell out of you, a much weaker opponent,” the statement reads. “Therefore, you’ll need to pump up those muscles in order to change from the gentle (effeminate) ‘Elona’ into the brutal Elon you need to be.”
The message goes on to recommend training at the Russian Special Forces University, Akhmat Fight Club, and Crozney Chechen State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company; offering a short explanation of each one.
In response, Musk thanked the Kremlin for their offer, and counter-offered by saying he would only fight with his left hand:
Thank you for the offer, but such excellent training would give me too much of an advantage.
If he is afraid to fight, I will agree to use only my left hand and I am not even left-handed.
Elona
— Elona Musk (@elonmusk) March 15, 2022
Musk has acted in defense of Ukraine since the beginning of the skirmish, sending Starlink satellites to provide internet service amidst interruptions, and has been calling for European countries to re-open their nuclear power plants despite his personal bottom line.
This latter move garnered praise from former President Donald Trump, who at a rally in South Carolina described the billionaire entrepreneur as a “guy that I like and respect… friend of mine.”
“He runs an electric car company and is calling for Biden to increase oil and gas production, but Biden won’t do it because he does not have the will to stand up to AOC,” Trump said.
