Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and recent owner of Twitter, now rebranded as X, has been known for causing controversy. Recently, he made derogatory comments about President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, which caused quite a stir. The longstanding trailblazer in the technology industry explained why there have been no attempts on their lives. Despite quickly deleting the post, it attracts significant attention and ignites discussion.
The Social Media Post
The ascent of the X social media platform is considerable. Musk’s comment on X came shortly after an alleged assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump at his Florida golf course. In response to the incident, Musk posted: ‘No one is even trying to assassinate Biden/Kamala,’ accompanied by a raised eyebrow emoji. Although deleted later, this remark was intended as a joke, according to Musk. However, the timing and the sensitive nature of the comment led to immediate backlash from users across the political spectrum.
Public Backlash and Criticism
Many criticized Musk’s post as irresponsible, especially given his influence and large following on the platform. Critics argued that his comment could be seen as incitement to violence, particularly in a politically charged environment. Several X users expressed their concern, with some accusing Musk of promoting dangerous rhetoric. The hashtag “DeportElonMusk” even trended for a period, reflecting the public’s disapproval of his words.
White House and Secret Service Response
The White House expressed disapproval of Musk’s statements, stating that promoting violence, even in jest, is inexcusable. Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates issued a statement describing the tweet as careless. He also pointed out that statements that could incite violence in the coming days should be avoided.
The U.S. Secret Service also noted the post, along with the protection of the President and Vice President. They did not provide information about the specifics but stated that all threats concerning the people they guard are thoroughly investigated. This single episode in which the authorities responded to Musk’s post underscores the gravity of his utterances.
Musk’s Apology and Explanation
After removing the post, Musk followed up with an explanation. He noted that the post was intended as a joke and not to be taken seriously. Musk admitted that humor can sometimes get lost in translation, especially in text format. He acknowledged that what may seem funny in a live conversation might not have the same effect on social media.
Conclusion
Elon Musk’s Twitter post regarding the absence of assassination attempts on Biden and Harris attracted significant discussion. His sense of humor was not well received, with several netizens worrying about the implications of such remarks. The case in question is an example of the extent of a person’s influence and the potential consequences they can face. While Musk has retracted the statement and issued an apology, the repercussions of his statement continue to be addressed.
