In a recent interview at the Hay Festival in Cartagena, Colombia, renowned author Salman Rushdie made headlines with his candid remarks about tech mogul Elon Musk and his ambitious plans for Mars colonization. The Booker Prize-winning novelist didn’t mince words when expressing his thoughts on the SpaceX CEO’s space aspirations.
Rushdie, known for his sharp wit and incisive commentary, suggested that Musk should be the “first man on Mars” – but not for the reasons one might expect. The author’s tongue-in-cheek proposal was less about scientific achievement and more about sending Musk on a one-way trip to the Red Planet.
“I’m not a fan of Mr. Musk,” Rushdie stated bluntly. “And I would love for him to be the first man on Mars.” When pressed further, he added, “Yes, let him go. If he likes it so much, then let him go.”
The author’s comments stem from his skepticism regarding Musk’s claims about defending free speech on his social media platform, X (formerly Twitter). Rushdie accused Musk of dishonesty, stating, “Elon Musk doesn’t defend free expression. His social network curates the discourse of the extreme right. Appropriating a noble cause, such as freedom of expression, when what you do is the opposite is very dishonest.”
Rushdie also revealed a personal encounter with Musk from a decade ago, recalling, “I once met him, in Los Angeles, 10 years ago. And he said that it would take seven years to get to Mars. Seven years have already passed, and I really want him to leave.”
The author’s critique of Musk extends beyond his space ambitions and social media practices. Rushdie expressed concern about the current state of tolerance and empathy in society, noting that these values are “weaker now than at any other time in my life.” He connected this observation to the rising anti-immigrant sentiment in various countries, including the United States.
Rushdie, himself a “double migrant” from India to England and then to the United States, emphasized the positive aspects of migration and its contributions to culture. He warned about the potential consequences of strict anti-immigration policies, predicting impacts on various sectors of the economy, including agriculture and healthcare.
The author’s comments come at a time when his own life has been marked by significant events. In August 2022, Rushdie survived a violent attack during a lecture in New York, which left him with serious injuries. Despite this traumatic experience, he has continued to be an outspoken advocate for free expression and cultural diversity.
Rushdie’s latest novel, “Victory City,” was published in February 2023, and his memoir about the attack, “Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder,” was released in April 2024. Both works have garnered significant attention and critical acclaim.
As Rushdie continues to recover and write, his pointed observations about figures like Musk and broader societal issues remind us of the important role that authors and public intellectuals play in shaping cultural discourse. Whether discussing space exploration, social media, or immigration, Rushdie’s voice remains as provocative and relevant as ever.
