Elon Musk Deletes Comment on Why No One is Assassinating Biden, Harris

Source: YouTube

In yet another controversial social media moment, Elon Musk, the owner of X (formerly Twitter), deleted a post that asked why no one was attempting to assassinate President Joe Biden or Vice President Kamala Harris. The post, featuring a thinking emoji, came in response to a comment about the recent failed assassination attempt on Donald Trump. Musk’s comment, which he deleted after nine hours, sparked a significant backlash from both Republicans and Democrats.

Immediate Backlash from Social Media Users, Secret Service

The post, which asked, “Why no one is even trying to assassinate Biden/Kamala?” with an accompanying emoji, triggered a wave of criticism across social media platforms. Many users condemned the comment, calling it irresponsible, especially given its timing—just hours after the Trump assassination attempt. Musk’s attempt to clarify his comment as a joke that fell flat. However, this excuse fell flat as well as social media users from both parties expressed outrage over the billionaire’s apparent insensitivity.

The White House quickly condemned the statement, reinforcing that political violence should never be encouraged, even in jest. According to a spokesperson, “There is no place for political violence or for any violence ever in our country.” Musk later admitted that jokes might not translate well in text form, tweeting, “Turns out that jokes are WAY less funny if people don’t know the context and the delivery is in plain text.”

As the uproar over Musk’s post grew, the US Secret Service acknowledged their awareness of the situation. While declining to comment on specific protective measures, they confirmed that threats against the President and Vice President are always taken seriously. According to a statement, “We can say, however, that the Secret Service investigates all threats related to our protectees.”

Elon Musk’s History of Controversial Statements

This incident is far from the first time that Elon Musk has found himself in hot water over his posts. As one of the world’s most influential figures, Musk has repeatedly used his social media platform to comment on sensitive political matters. Whether spreading misinformation about voter fraud or warning of inevitable civil war in the UK, Musk’s tweets often provoke strong reactions. These posts, amplified to his nearly 200 million followers on X, frequently spark both outrage and concern.

Musk’s political leanings have also come under scrutiny. He has publicly endorsed Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign and even suggested that he would lead a government efficiency commission if Trump were re-elected. His support of Trump has led many to question the intentions behind his political commentary, as Musk’s posts increasingly align with right-wing rhetoric.

Why Does Elon Musk Seem to Face Limited Consequences?

Despite numerous controversial statements, Elon Musk continues to operate with relatively few repercussions. Several factors contribute to this. First, his wealth and influence provide a layer of protection that shields him from the consequences others might face. As the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, and the owner of X, Musk has unparalleled control over his own platform, allowing him to direct the narrative and avoid substantial penalties.

Additionally, Musk’s free speech platform has garnered support from conservative circles that oppose censorship. Since purchasing X in 2022, Musk has rolled back content moderation policies, allowing for more free-flowing dialogue but also enabling the spread of misinformation. His stance on free speech has earned him a significant following among those who feel their views were suppressed under the platform’s previous leadership.

While his posts continue to draw heavy criticism, the backlash has done little to curb Musk’s behavior on social media. His significant influence and control over the platform keep him largely insulated from consequences that would typically befall others for making similarly controversial remarks.

Joke or No Joke, Elon Musk Has Gone Too Far 

Elon Musk’s recent post about assassination attempts on Biden and Harris has reignited the debate over his influence and responsibility as a prominent public figure. The billionaire’s deleted post, while intended as a joke, highlights his ongoing willingness to push the boundaries of acceptable discourse on X. With the US Secret Service now involved and widespread backlash from both sides of the political spectrum, Musk’s social media activity continues to be a focal point for both criticism and concern.

Do you think Elon Musk deserves more than criticism over his supposed joke on assassinating US leaders? Tell us what you think.

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