Elon Musk Fuels Election Misinformation, Amasses Billions of Views on X
According to a CBS News investigation, billionaire Elon Musk has wielded his social media platform X (formerly Twitter) with immense influence, accumulating over 3.3 billion views on posts questioning election security since early 2024. His frequent sharing of controversial and conspiratorial narratives has positioned him as a leading voice on election integrity during the 2024 presidential campaign.
Amplifying Conspiracy Theories
Musk’s posts have frustrated public officials who are working to maintain confidence in the election system, which is already under strain from waves of misinformation. At a pro-Trump rally in Philadelphia, Musk claimed, “statistically, there are some extraordinary things that happen that are statistically incredibly unlikely,” referring to Dominion voting machines—a claim repeatedly debunked. Musk had already become a key amplifier of election misinformation on X long before this rally.
In a July post that garnered 45.8 million views, Musk echoed the conspiracy theory that Democrats are importing illegal immigrants to increase their voter base. This post is part of a broader trend of Musk promoting unverified or false claims about U.S. elections, often receiving millions of views.
Fact-Checking Musk’s Claims
CBS News, in collaboration with the International Center for Journalists and Convocation Research+Design, analyzed 17,000 of Musk’s posts, revealing that 55% contained misleading or false statements about election security. Many of the accounts Musk engages with have been identified as promoters of voter fraud conspiracies. Despite fact-checking, Musk’s posts continue to go viral, sometimes causing real-world consequences.
Real-World Impact
Election officials like Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson have faced tangible threats following Musk’s posts. After Musk falsely claimed that Michigan had more registered voters than eligible citizens, Benson’s office experienced a surge in threats. Although Benson corrected the misinformation, Musk’s follow-up post accusing her of lying accumulated millions of views and further fueled public distrust.
Stoking Fears of Post-Election Chaos
Experts warn that Musk’s rhetoric could lead to widespread distrust in the 2024 election results, particularly if Trump appears to be losing on election night. David Becker, executive director of the Center for Election Innovation and Research, has expressed concerns that Musk’s influence may amplify post-election disinformation, potentially undermining the integrity of the electoral process.
Musk’s role in spreading election misinformation coincides with his increasing alignment with far-right politics, and his support for Trump has grown over time. Experts are concerned that his platform, X, could serve as a megaphone for unfounded claims, exacerbating post-election instability.
As election night nears, the concern extends beyond disinformation to the potential real-world consequences that may follow in the days after the vote.