Elon Musk sparks controversy with slur against astronaut amid SpaceX dispute

Elon Musk faces backlash after using a slur against astronaut Mogensen during a heated exchange over SpaceX claims.

Elon Musk has ignited controversy after using a slur against Danish astronaut Andreas Mogensen during a social media dispute over SpaceX and NASA’s delayed astronaut return mission.

The argument began when Musk claimed that NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore—who have been in space for eight months—were stranded due to “political reasons.” Mogensen, a European Space Agency astronaut who piloted a SpaceX mission in 2023, pushed back, calling Musk’s claim a “lie.”

In response, Musk fired back with an offensive slur, stating, “You are fully ret---ed,” and reiterated that the Biden administration rejected SpaceX’s offer to bring the astronauts home earlier.

You are fully retarded.

SpaceX could have brought them back several months ago.

I OFFERED THIS DIRECTLY to the Biden administration and they refused.

Return WAS pushed back for political reasons.

Idiot.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 20, 2025

Mogensen maintained his stance, stating that the Crew-9 return mission was scheduled since last September and that SpaceX had not deployed a rescue ship. Williams and Wilmore themselves have denied feeling “abandoned” or “stranded,” emphasizing that their return was planned and coordinated with NASA.

Musk, a key ally of President Donald Trump, has been increasingly vocal on social media, ramping up his use of controversial language since Trump’s election. Reports indicate Musk has averaged nearly 100 tweets per day since January while also leading the Department of Government Efficiency under Trump’s administration.

NASA has confirmed that Williams and Wilmore are scheduled to return to Earth aboard the Dragon capsule on March 12.