Elon Musk celebrated the first ‘all civilian’ space launch last week by his company SpaceX, but the lack of a response from US president Joe Biden means he isn’t on cloud nine.
The four tourists launched into space from Nasa’s Kennedy Space Center on Wednesday night, orbiting the planet for three days before landing safely back on Earth on Saturday.
Inspiration4 follows launches from fellow billionaires Jeff Bezos and Richard Branson, who both entered space in July.
After news broke of Saturday’s successful splashdown, Musk tweeted: “Congratulations @Inspiration4x!”
However, one person who is yet to say the same is Biden – probably because he’s busy running the country or something.
As a result, the Tesla founder employed a pejorative phrase often uttered by Trump and his fellow Republicans to poke fun at the president.
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Musk was responding to a tweet posted by an account named ‘Electric Cyberfarmer’, who wrote on Sunday: “The President of the United States has refused to even acknowledge the four newest American astronauts who helped raise hundreds of millions of dollars for St Jude. What’s your theory on why that is?”
“He’s still sleeping,” Musk replied.
He’s still sleeping
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 19, 2021
The frank response has been praised or met with agreement by some:
You said that "I think the United States is a nation of explorers, a distillation of the human spirit of exploration."
— Renata Konkoly 🐢🦔 (@RenataKonkoly) September 19, 2021
These four American explorers should be acknowledged and applauded by the President.
(Credit: SpaceX, Inspiration4 - @johnkrausphotos) pic.twitter.com/mDyWMztQ1s
— NautPoso 🇮🇪 🚀 (@NautPoso) September 20, 2021
Elon, this was a beautiful tweet. Do not ever become a traditional CEO! pic.twitter.com/Kl9Ek8GxnP
— 2% Milk is a fair compromise (@2percentisfair) September 19, 2021
This fucking guy! I love him. Absolutely doesn’t give a shit, nor should he. pic.twitter.com/54XOWpnFtY
— Madam Celerian (@Celerian) September 19, 2021
Elon, thank you for everything you do 👨🚀
— Optimus 🚀 (@TeslaAIBot) September 19, 2021
While for others, it only prompted further criticism of the businessman:
Imagine the money that could have been spent on those poor sick kids, instead of sending that rocket into space.
— VCPester (@vcjester1458) September 19, 2021
Thanks for finally convincing me to never buy one of your deathtraps.
— Frank San Filippo (@fsfmusic) September 19, 2021
Musk fearful he may have to pay his fair share in taxes
— John P Public (@JohnypPublic) September 19, 2021
Personally, we think Joe will respond eventually – he’s just Biden his time...
