Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, has recently come under fire for using an anti-disability slur during a heated exchange on social media. This incident occurred on X (formerly Twitter) following a controversial interaction with Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, who publicly thanked Musk after acquiring a modified Cybertruck equipped with a machine gun turret. Kadyrov claimed the vehicle would serve Russian troops engaged in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
When questioned about his potential complicity in the matter by activist and lawyer Seth Abramson, Musk responded with a derogatory remark that sparked immediate condemnation. Critics took to X, expressing their disapproval of Musk’s choice of words, emphasizing the insensitivity of using such language in modern discourse. Comments included assertions that terms like the one Musk employed are offensive and should not be tolerated.
The backlash is particularly notable given Musk’s own history with Asperger’s syndrome—a condition on the autism spectrum. His estranged father, Errol Musk, previously recounted a troubling incident from Elon’s childhood, revealing that educators once recommended a special school for him because they believed he was struggling academically. This context has intensified the scrutiny of Musk’s recent comments, leading many to question the inconsistency between his personal experiences and his public behavior.
Since acquiring X in October 2022, Musk has exhibited increasingly erratic behavior and has become entangled in a network of far-right conspiracy theories, prompting formal charges from the European Union for potential violations of social media regulations. His mental health has also drawn concern, particularly as he has openly discussed using ketamine as a treatment for depression, despite asserting he is “almost always sober†during online interactions.
This latest incident adds to a growing list of controversial moments for Musk, highlighting the complexities of his public persona and the implications of his social media conduct.
