The Blubber

Elon Musk, a close ally of President Donald Trump, quipped on Thursday that he couldn’t possibly be a Russian asset—because Russian President Vladimir Putin “can’t afford me.”

Musk made the remark during a sit-down interview with Newsmax’s Rob Schmitt at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in National Harbor, Maryland.

Wearing sunglasses, Musk cut in during a question about Russia’s war with Ukraine, joking, “People say, like, you know, ‘I’m a bought asset of Putin?’ I’m like, he can’t afford me.”

The crowd erupted in laughter, with Schmitt responding, “I think you’re worth more than Russia.”

Why It Matters

Musk, CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, has had a complicated relationship with Russia—marked by both collaboration and controversy. In the early 2020s, SpaceX held talks with the Russian space agency Roscosmos about potential partnerships. Since late 2022, Musk and Putin have reportedly communicated on topics ranging from business to geopolitics, raising concerns among U.S. national security officials. Given Musk’s significant influence in technology and space—particularly within the Trump administration—these interactions have drawn scrutiny.

As of February 20, 2025, Musk’s net worth is estimated at $396.8 billion, according to Forbes, making him the world’s richest person. His fortune primarily comes from his stakes in Tesla, SpaceX, X Corp., and xAI. However, his wealth has been volatile—he reportedly lost $15.9 billion in a single day after Tesla’s stock dropped 6.3%.

What to Know

Schmitt also asked Musk about Trump’s recent criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, whom Trump labeled a “dictator without elections” while suggesting Ukraine started the war with Russia.

Musk responded, “First of all, we should have empathy for people dying on the front lines. That’s the most important thing. How many more years is this supposed to go on? Imagine if this was your son or father—what are they dying for? The line of engagement has barely moved for two years, and a whole bunch of people have died.”

Musk then expressed skepticism about continued U.S. financial support for Ukraine. He has previously called for an audit of aid sent to Kyiv, questioning its effectiveness and allocation.

“People are dead in the trenches for what? For the biggest graft machine I’ve ever seen in my life,” Musk said. “The amount of money taken in graft and bribery is disgusting. Poor guys are being sent into a meat grinder for money, and it needs to stop.”