WASHINGTON D.C. — In a brief social media interview posted by a Fox News reporter, Elon Musk confirmed that he will attend Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s upcoming speech to Congress as Netanyahu’s guest.
The Israeli embassy has not yet confirmed Musk’s presence.
Musk’s visit to Capitol Hill follows his announcement on X that Starlink, his satellite internet company, will be operating at a hospital in Gaza, with the support of Israel and the United Arab Emirates.
Nine months into the conflict between Israel and Hamas, Netanyahu’s speech sparked protests in Washington, leading to around 200 arrests during a sit-in at the Cannon House Office Building.
More than 30 members of Congress plan to boycott the speech, citing Netanyahu’s handling of the conflict.
Vice President Kamala Harris will also be absent, citing travel commitments. Typically, the vice president oversees joint sessions of Congress, but Harris is currently campaigning for the Democratic presidential nominee.
Donald Trump’s running mate, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, will also skip the speech because of his commitments to campaigning for vice president, according to a Trump campaign official.
In Harris’s absence, Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Ben Cardin, D-Md., will preside over the joint session. Cardin emphasized the bipartisan nature of the U.S.-Israel relationship, saying, “The United States’ relationship with the State of Israel transcends politics and partisanship.”
While Harris blames her absence on travel, many lawmakers, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., plan to skip the speech in protest. Some will meet with families of Hamas hostages or attend Middle East peace talks.
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., a vocal critic of Netanyahu, said: “Netanyahu should not be welcomed into the United States Congress. His policies in Gaza and the West Bank and his refusal to support a two-state solution should be condemned.”
This will be Netanyahu’s fourth speech to Congress, the last one being in March 2015.
During his visit, Netanyahu will meet with key congressional leaders, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, Republican of Louisiana, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Democrat of New York, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Democrat of New York. He will also hold separate meetings with President Joe Biden and Vice President Harris at the White House on Thursday.
