Elon Musk accepts Nicolás Maduro’s challenge for a fight

Musk has agreed to Maduro’s challenge and significantly increased the stakes.

Elon Musk has accepted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's challenge to a fight after the Tesla CEO took to X, formerly Twitter, to accuse the socialist leader of “major election fraud.” 

This exchange followed Musk's accusations of election fraud after the contentious results of Venezuela's presidential election, which saw multiple exit polls pointing to an opposition victory. 

Maduro, who was declared the winner by Venezuela’s National Electoral Council with 51% of the vote despite opposition claims of fraud, called out Musk on national television. 

"Elon Musk. Whoever messes with me, dries up. Whoever messes with Venezuela dries up. You want to fight? Let's have it, Elon Musk. I'm ready... I am not afraid of you. Let's go at it, wherever you want... Just say where," Maduro declared.

JUST IN: Elon Musk accepts Venezuelan Dictator Nicolás Maduro's challenge to a fight.

Just when you thought 2024 couldn't get any crazier.

Maduro: "Elon Musk. Whoever messes with me, dries up. Whoever messes with Venezuela dries up, Elon Musk.

You want to fight? Let's have… pic.twitter.com/rqvCphOsuJ

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) July 31, 2024

On Wednesday, Musk responded by accepting the challenge and raising the stakes: "If I win, he resigns as dictator of Venezuela. If he wins, I give him a free ride to Mars."

If I win, he resigns as dictator of Venezuela.

If he wins, I give him a free ride to Mars.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 31, 2024

The Carter Center also reported an inability to verify the election results, citing a "complete lack of transparency." Despite these controversies, the National Electoral Council announced Maduro's victory, attributing 44% of the vote to opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez.