Elon Musk has ignited backlash after using an offensive term to insult Danish astronaut Andreas Mogensen during a heated exchange on his social media platform, X.

The dispute began when Mogensen, a European Space Agency astronaut who piloted a 2023 SpaceX mission, criticized Musk for claiming that NASA astronauts stranded in space were there due to “political reasons.”

Mogensen Challenges Musk’s Claim

Mogensen, 48, took issue with Musk’s statement, calling it misleading. “What a lie,” he wrote on X. “And from someone who complains about lack of honesty from the mainstream media.”

Musk, who has a history of clashing with critics, fired back with an insult, using a term widely considered offensive in the disability community.

“You are fully ret—ed,” Musk wrote in response. “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.”

Mogensen Responds With Facts

Rather than engaging in name-calling, Mogensen maintained a composed stance while reinforcing his argument. He pointed out that the astronauts—Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore—were scheduled to return as planned and were not left stranded.

“Elon, I have long admired you and what you have accomplished, especially at SpaceX and Tesla,” Mogensen replied. “You know as well as I do that Butch and Suni are returning with Crew-9, as has been the plan since last September. Even now, you are not sending up a rescue ship to bring them home. They are returning on the Dragon capsule that has been on ISS since last September.”

NASA and Astronauts Reject Stranded Narrative

Musk and former President Donald Trump have both accused the Biden administration of delaying the astronauts’ return. However, Williams and Wilmore themselves have refuted this claim.

“We don’t feel abandoned. We don’t feel stuck. We don’t feel stranded,” Wilmore stated in an interview from the ISS. “I understand why others may think that. We come prepared. We come committed.”

NASA confirmed that Williams and Wilmore’s return is set for March 12, following an announcement made in December.

Musk’s Increasing Use of Controversial Language

Mogensen, a seasoned astronaut with nearly two decades of experience, made history in 2023 as the first non-American pilot of a U.S. spacecraft. His mission, a collaboration between NASA and SpaceX, lasted over six months and involved various scientific experiments.

Meanwhile, Musk’s use of offensive language has increased significantly on X. Reports indicate that he has repeatedly used the slur in recent months, with his posting activity also intensifying since Trump took office. Between Jan. 21 and Feb. 4, Musk reportedly posted nearly 1,500 times—an average of 100 tweets per day—while overseeing the Department of Government Efficiency.

His actions continue to draw both criticism and scrutiny, raising questions about the influence of social media rhetoric in political and scientific discourse.