Musk’s Comments on Biden and Harris Spark Outrage

Elon Musk’s recent post on X, where he stated, “And no one is even trying to assassinate Biden/Kamala,” has sparked significant controversy and criticism. The billionaire owner of X, known for his outspoken and often provocative statements, shared this comment in response to an apparent assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump on Sunday. The post quickly became a focal point of debate, drawing condemnation from various quarters.

The controversy began when Musk reshared a post questioning why there seemed to be a desire to kill Donald Trump, making his own remark about President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Musk’s comment, accompanied by a thinking face emoji, was seen by many as dismissive of serious threats against the President and Vice President, leading to immediate backlash from users on X.

Musk’s post did not go unnoticed. It quickly attracted criticism from across the political spectrum. Some users on X took offense, seeing Musk’s comments as insensitive and potentially dangerous. Despite this, Musk, who has previously endorsed Trump, appeared to double down on his stance. He responded to one reply with a hundred points emoji, reinforcing a view that Trump is seen as a threat to the establishment, while Biden and Harris represent that establishment.

The situation escalated when Musk replied to another user who urged him to reconsider his post, emphasizing the need for unity. Musk’s response was: “No one has even tried to do so is the point I’m making and no one will.” This further fueled the debate, as critics argued that Musk’s comments trivialized serious security concerns.

In the hours that followed, Musk attempted to address the controversy by suggesting that his original post might have been misinterpreted. When a follower asked him to rephrase his post to avoid misunderstandings, Musk conceded: “Fair enough…I don’t want to do what they have done, even in jest.” This indicated a shift in his approach, acknowledging that his message may not have been received as intended.

Musk later deleted the post and seemed to frame it as a misjudged attempt at humor. He remarked: “One lesson I’ve learned is that just because I say something to a group and they laugh doesn’t mean it’s going to be all that hilarious as a post on X.” This comment suggested that Musk recognized the potentially harmful impact of his words and sought to distance himself from the controversy.

The reactions to Musk’s post were swift and severe. Conservative columnist Jonah Goldberg criticized Musk’s comment as “appalling and indefensible,” highlighting the gravity of the situation. Comedian Maz Jobrani also weighed in, tagging the Secret Service in his tweet and suggesting that Musk’s comments warranted a visit from federal authorities. Jobrani’s tweet read: “You may want to pay this guy a visit. He ain’t right in the head!” Brett Meiselas, founder of the left-leaning online platform Meidas Touch, called for immediate action, stating: “Ok this requires an IMMEDIATE visit by the secret service and federal charges. Lock this guy up. This is so dangerous.”

The controversy surrounding Musk’s post unfolded against a backdrop of related incidents. Earlier on Sunday, the New Hampshire Libertarian Party faced its own backlash after tweeting, “Anyone who murders Kamala Harris would be an American hero.” The tweet was widely condemned, with Libertarian Party presidential nominee Chase Oliver calling it “abhorrent” and denouncing the statement on X. Oliver emphasized the party’s stance against violence, stating, “As Libertarians, we condemn the use of force, whether committed by governments, individuals, or other political entities.” Despite this, the party’s official account initially defended the tweet, citing the First Amendment as protection for free speech. Eventually, the post was removed, with the party claiming it was done to comply with the website’s terms of service. They expressed frustration over what they perceived as limitations on free speech, stating: “It’s a shame that even on a ‘free speech’ website that libertarians cannot speak freely.”

In summary, Elon Musk’s controversial post about the lack of threats against President Biden and Vice President Harris has ignited a fierce debate, with widespread criticism and calls for action from various quarters. Musk’s subsequent attempts to clarify and retract his statement have not fully quelled the controversy, highlighting the sensitivities surrounding public statements on political figures and the impact of such comments in today’s polarized environment.