Elon Musk Sparks Backlash with Controversial Posts Amid Political Tensions

Over the weekend, hours after an apparent attempt on Donald Trump’s life, Elon Musk took to his social platform X, formerly known as Twitter, to share a cryptic message. He posted a thinking emoji alongside a comment that “no one is even trying to assassinate” President Joe Biden or Vice President Kamala Harris. The post immediately triggered widespread backlash, particularly from public officials, who called it irresponsible and dangerous.

Political Firestorm

This isn’t the first time Musk’s remarks have stirred controversy. Amid ongoing anti-Muslim riots in the U.K., Musk fueled tensions by declaring that a “civil war is inevitable,” attributing the unrest to misinformation. Similarly, he amplified a false claim from an anonymous user about a surge in suspicious voter registrations in several U.S. states, labeling it “extremely concerning.”

These instances underscore Musk’s ability to spread fear and misinformation globally. Critics argue that Musk, as the owner of X, can manipulate public sentiment and political narratives—especially troubling as the U.S. election nears. Musk’s amplification of falsehoods has raised concerns about the platform’s moderation under his leadership and the impact of his rhetoric on public trust in the electoral system.

Backlash from Public Officials

Public figures were quick to condemn Musk’s posts. White House spokesperson Andrew Bates called Musk’s comment about Biden and Harris “irresponsible,” emphasizing that violence “should only be condemned, never encouraged or joked about.”

Jocelyn Benson, Michigan’s Democratic secretary of state, said that Musk’s actions have created a “maelstrom of disinformation” that makes it more challenging for election officials to provide accurate information. “How do we get facts out to citizens, many of whom follow Musk or are members of X?” she asked.

Concerns About Misinformation

Election experts have expressed concerns about Musk’s growing political influence and the lack of content moderation on X. Rick Hasen, a law professor at UCLA, argued that Musk’s control over the platform has degraded its credibility, shifting it from a reliable source of information in 2020 to a breeding ground for harmful falsehoods. He pointed out that millions have left the platform, alongside advertisers, due to its changing public reputation.

Jen Easterly, head of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, also criticized Musk’s role in spreading misinformation. She cited Musk’s past amplification of a false claim that most U.S. elections don’t use paper ballots. She corrected him by stating that the 2020 presidential election had paper ballots in all critical states.

Impact on Election Security

Some election officials have taken proactive steps to address Musk’s disinformation. In Maricopa County, Arizona, election officials invited Musk to tour their election facilities to gain a better understanding of the process. Meanwhile, Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon credited Musk for correcting some misinformation. However, he remains cautious about Musk’s role in influencing public trust.

Experts like Heidi Beirich, co-founder of the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism, warned that Musk’s actions could pose a real danger to election workers and candidates, raising the temperature of political discourse to dangerous levels.

Musk’s Response

Musk has occasionally walked back controversial statements. For instance, after facing backlash for promoting an interview with a Holocaust revisionist, he deleted the post. Similarly, he removed the controversial comment about Biden and Harris, though critics maintain that the damage was already done.

Despite the criticism, Musk continues to wield significant influence over public discourse through his platform. His support for Trump’s re-election bid and his willingness to engage in divisive political debates show his increasing investment in U.S. politics. As Election Day approaches, the question remains: Will Musk’s influence further erode public trust?