Sarah Travers
On Monday morning, Elon Musk, CEO of X (formerly Twitter), stirred controversy by deleting a post in which he provocatively questioned why former President Donald Trump had been the target of two assassination attempts while no similar incidents had befallen President Joe Biden or Vice President Kamala Harris. Although Musk later described the post as a joke, it sparked intense online reactions and added to the growing scrutiny surrounding his political statements and behavior on social media.
The deleted tweet stated, “No one’s even trying to assassinate Biden or Kamala,” accompanied by a thinking emoji. Despite calls from users urging him to retract the post throughout Sunday, Musk initially stood by it, reiterating in one response that Biden and Harris had faced no threats. However, following the backlash, Musk ultimately removed the post, admitting that it could be misunderstood and might provoke further controversy.
This isn’t the first time Musk’s social media conduct has drawn criticism. In a recent instance, Musk reacted to an image showing that none of Trump’s immediate predecessors had faced assassination attempts by replying with the same thinking emoji. Musk later attempted to clarify that his remarks were meant in jest, not as an endorsement of violence. Still, the humor failed to land with many, raising concerns about the appropriateness of such comments, especially given their potentially harmful implications.
In response, the White House condemned Musk’s comments, emphasizing that political violence, or even jokes suggesting it, should never be encouraged. Officials reiterated the importance of promoting peace and unity, especially during such politically polarized times. President Biden and Vice President Harris both recently addressed similar concerns, calling for all Americans to reject violence and division.
The incident has sparked a conversation about whether Musk’s remarks might have violated X’s community guidelines, which forbid incitement to violence. As the platform’s owner, Musk has frequently pushed the boundaries of its policies, often facing little consequence for behavior that would typically result in punitive action for other users. Though Musk denied promoting violence, the ambiguity of his comments reignited the debate over his responsibility as both the platform’s leader and a high-profile public figure.
There is speculation that the Secret Service, which investigates potential threats against public officials, could review Musk’s remarks. The agency previously launched an investigation into comedian John Mulaney after he made a joke about Trump during a “Saturday Night Live” monologue. Whether Musk will face similar scrutiny remains unclear.
Musk’s evolving political views have also drawn attention in recent months. After a failed assassination attempt on Trump, Musk endorsed the former president’s re-election campaign, marking a shift in his political alignment. Musk has become increasingly vocal about his opposition to progressive ideologies, which he often critiques as a “woke mind virus.” His rhetoric has escalated as he continues to publicly support conservative causes and figures.
His social media presence has also led him to engage with conspiracy theories. Musk has previously shared misleading or false claims, including an unfounded suggestion that undocumented immigrants are permitted to vote in U.S. elections. Additionally, Musk has circulated AI-generated images of Vice President Harris, falsely depicting her as a communist sympathizer, further escalating tensions on the platform.
For example, Musk once responded to pop star Taylor Swift’s endorsement of Harris by sarcastically offering to “give [Swift] a child” and protect her beloved cats. The comment drew widespread backlash, with critics calling it both inappropriate and unsettling.
As Musk continues to exert his influence over X’s policies and content moderation, many are questioning whether the platform’s leadership adequately addresses the spread of harmful content. His personal involvement in such discussions underscores concerns over the balance between free expression and responsible use of social media platforms, particularly when they shape political discourse on a global scale.
