In a fiery exchange that underscores the growing ideological divide in America, billionaire Elon Musk took a stand against a New York Times article that suggested the U.S. Constitution might be one of the “biggest threats” to the country. The piece, penned by Times book critic Jennifer Szalai, ignited a firestorm of criticism from conservatives and patriots alike, with Musk leading the charge in defense of the nation’s founding document.

Szalai’s article, which takes aim at the very foundation of American democracy, claims that the Constitution is “in trouble” because it allowed former President Donald Trump to ascend to the presidency via the Electoral College, despite not winning the popular vote in 2016. This, she argues, is evidence of the Constitution’s “antidemocratic” nature.

“Americans have long assumed that the Constitution could save us; a growing chorus now wonders whether we need to be saved from it,” Szalai provocatively asserts. She goes on to criticize “Constitution worship” and laments that Trump’s political rise is a direct result of what she describes as a flawed and outdated system.

Szalai’s disdain for the Constitution’s originalist interpretations, which respect the document’s intent as understood by the Founding Fathers, is clear. She points to Trump’s ability to appoint three Supreme Court justices, two of whom were confirmed by a Senate that, according to her, represents only 44% of the population. For Szalai, this is further proof of the Constitution’s so-called dysfunctionality, particularly as those justices played key roles in overturning Roe v. Wade—a decision with which she claims most Americans disagreed.

However, her most incendiary claim is that the Constitution itself might be a threat to America’s political landscape. This radical viewpoint was met with swift and sharp criticism from Musk, who wasted no time in defending the document that has served as the bedrock of American freedom for over two centuries.

“They want to overthrow The Constitution,” Musk declared on X, the social media platform he owns. His message was clear: the Constitution is not the problem—it is the solution to the very authoritarianism that Szalai claims to fear. Musk, who has increasingly become a vocal critic of leftist ideology and government overreach, further cemented his stance with a rallying cry: “Long Live America and our Constitution!”

Conservative voices across the country echoed Musk’s sentiment. Fox News host Laura Ingraham didn’t mince words, saying, “Does the NYT hate the Constitution? Of course it does.” Ingraham’s remark highlights a growing concern among conservatives that the left is not just critical of certain policies or politicians, but of the very framework that makes the United States a free nation.

The Constitution, with its checks and balances, separation of powers, and protection of individual rights, was designed to guard against the very tyranny Szalai fears. It is precisely this structure that allowed for a peaceful transfer of power, even during the most contentious times in American history.

As debates over the Constitution continue to heat up, it’s clear that this document remains central to America’s identity. While critics like Szalai see it as an impediment to progress, defenders like Musk recognize it as the safeguard of liberty. In the words of Musk: Long live the Constitution, long live America.