 "Elon Musk is seen during the US Open at Flushing Meadows, New York, US, September 8, 2024. File Image/Reuters")
Following a suspected second assassination attempt on former United States President Donald Trump, tech billionaire Elon Musk found himself in hot water after posting – and quickly deleting – a controversial message on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Musk’s post, which questioned why no attempts had been made on the lives of US President Joe Biden or US Vice President Kamala Harris, set off a firestorm of criticism and drew the attention of the White House and the US Secret Service.
On his platform X, Musk responded to a user asking, “Why they want to kill Donald Trump?” by writing: “And no one is even trying to assassinate Biden/Kamala"
While Musk later deleted the post and explained that it was meant as a joke, many viewed the comment as reckless. With more than 197 million followers, the Tesla CEO’s words have the power to influence, and in this case, many critics felt it crossed a line.
In a later follow-up, Musk attempted to clarify his intent, writing: “Well, 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.”
In another post, he added, “Turns out that jokes are WAY less funny if people don’t know the context and the delivery is plain text.”
Despite Musk’s efforts to defuse the situation, the backlash was swift and severe.
How has the White House & US Secret Service responded?
The White House was quick to respond, condemning Musk’s remarks as “irresponsible.” Andrew Bates, a spokesperson for the Biden administration, highlighted that violence, whether joked about or otherwise, has no place in American political discourse.
“Violence should only be condemned, never encouraged or joked about,” Bates said, echoing Biden and Harris’s position that political violence should never be normalised.
The US Secret Service also confirmed it was aware of Musk’s post, with a spokesperson stating, “As a matter of practice, we do not comment on matters involving protective intelligence. We can say, however, that the Secret Service investigates all threats related to our protectees.”
Whether or not Musk’s deleted post triggered any specific investigation remains undisclosed, but the agency’s vigilance in such matters is clear.
This isn’t the first time Musk’s behaviour on X has drawn government attention. The Secret Service has a history of investigating perceived threats against sitting and former US presidents, even when they are intended as humour, such as the 2021 investigation of comedian John Mulaney for a joke comparing Trump to Julius Caesar.
Are Musk’s posts a far-right shift or just poor taste in humour?
Musk’s controversial post is the latest in a series of statements and actions that have aligned him more closely with the far-right in American politics. Once a vocal advocate of progressive causes, Musk has grown increasingly critical of the Democratic Party in recent years.
He has decried what he refers to as the “woke mind virus” infecting American society, and has warned of the nation’s impending “doom” if Democrats remain in power.
Musk formally endorsed Trump after the July assassination attempt and even hosted him for an interview on X, signalling his deepening support for the former president’s bid to reclaim the White House. Alongside his political pivot, Musk has become more brazen in his online behaviour.
He has flirted with conspiracy theories, including unfounded claims about undocumented immigrants voting in US elections, and frequently shares AI-generated images that mock Harris and other prominent Democrats.
For instance, Musk recently responded to singer Taylor Swift’s endorsement of Harris with a crude offer, writing, “Fine Taylor … you win … I will give you a child and guard your cats with my life.”
While this post, too, was framed as a joke, many found it to be in poor taste, further cementing Musk’s image as a provocateur who is unafraid to push boundaries, regardless of the consequences.
What happened at Trump’s golf course during the weekend?
Musk’s post followed a dramatic weekend where former US President Trump faced yet another assassination attempt at his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida. US Secret Service agents spotted a man armed with a rifle, identified as Ryan Wesley Routh, hiding in the bushes near the golf course where Trump was playing.
Routh, who had been in the area for approximately 12 hours, fled after agents opened fire, though it is still unclear if he ever fired his weapon. The suspect was apprehended after a high-speed chase and is now facing charges, including possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
This incident marks the second apparent attempt on Trump’s life within two months. In July, a would-be assassin opened fire at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, injuring Trump and killing an attendee before being neutralised by law enforcement. While Trump escaped serious harm in both instances, the escalation of violence around his public appearances has raised alarm across the political spectrum.
Trump, who is currently running for re-election in 2024, has publicly blamed the Biden-Harris administration for fostering an environment that encourages such attacks. “Their rhetoric is causing me to be shot at,” Trump said, accusing his political rivals of both dividing and weakening the country.
In contrast, Biden and Harris released statements expressing relief that Trump had not been injured in either incident, while stating that there is no justification for political violence.
Will Musk be held accountable for his post?
The fallout from Musk’s latest comments may have wider-reaching implications. Critics argue that his words could potentially incite violence against Biden and Harris, and many have called for greater accountability on platforms like X, where rhetoric can quickly spiral out of control.
Whether or not Musk’s post violated X’s terms of service remains unclear, though the platform has rules against promoting violent acts.
The billionaire’s cavalier attitude toward social media decorum has brought scrutiny to his stewardship of X. Despite claims that X restricts violent content, Musk’s posts often toe the line between provocative and harmful.
His supporters, however, see him as a champion of free speech, pushing back against what they perceive as an overly sensitive culture stifling open dialogue.
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The events of recent weeks have undoubtedly amplified tensions in an already charged political environment, with Musk’s online antics adding fuel to the fire.
As the US Secret Service continues its investigation into the attempted assassination of Trump, the focus is now also on ensuring that public figures — whether they are political candidates or influential business leaders—are held accountable for their words and actions in an age where social media posts can have real-world consequences.
Musk’s unapologetic approach to social media, coupled with his enormous influence, places him in a unique — and precarious — position. Whether this latest incident will have lasting repercussions for him or his platform remains to be seen.
With inputs from agencies