Far-right billionaire Elon Musk encountered significant criticism on Sunday after he posted a controversial statement on X, formerly Twitter, suggesting that “no one is even trying to assassinate Vice President Harris.” The post was made in the wake of an FBI-reported second apparent assassination attempt on former President Trump that same day.
Following the alleged attack in West Palm Beach, Fla., Musk responded to an X post asking, “Why they want to kill Donald Trump?” by adding his own comment, “And no one is even trying to assassinate Kamala,” accompanied by a thinking face emoji.
The post, which Musk deleted early Monday morning, was quickly met with backlash. Musk later claimed that the comment was meant as a “joke.”
“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,” Musk said in his follow-up, adding, “Turns out that jokes are WAY less funny if people don’t know the context and the delivery is plain text.”
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Musk’s attempt to brush off the incendiary comment as a “joke” fell flat and the response was swift and severe.
Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) criticized Musk directly on X, writing, “What is wrong with this guy?!?! Can anyone who loves him have an intervention? I’m serious this is off the rails.” He later added, “A reminder that @elonmusk is a contractor for DOD and the US Govt and has said things that would have gotten anyone kicked out of the military. He needs to stop, or the govt needs to treat him equally to everyone else. Being rich doesn’t put you above the law.”
Conservative columnist Jonah Goldberg condemned Musk’s post as “appalling and indefensible,” while the White House labeled the rhetoric “irresponsible.”
White House spokesperson Andrew Bates stated, “As President Biden and Vice President Harris said after yesterday’s disturbing news, ‘there is no place for political violence or for any violence ever in our country,’ and ‘we all must do our part to ensure that this incident does not lead to more violence.’” Bates added, “Violence should only be condemned, never encouraged or joked about. This rhetoric is irresponsible.”
The incident Musk referenced involved a man with a rifle spotted by Secret Service agents while Trump was golfing at his West Palm Beach course. The rifle was seen protruding through the bushes from 300-500 yards away. The Secret Service agent fired at the suspect, who abandoned the rifle and fled in an SUV. He was later apprehended after a witness captured a photo of his vehicle.
The Trump campaign and Secret Service confirmed that the former president was unharmed about an hour after the agent’s intervention. This event followed a similar attack in July, where a shooter at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania struck the former president and killed one person.
Musk, who has been vocal in his support for Trump’s reelection bid and has criticized Vice President Harris, faced renewed scrutiny for his controversial posts on X, including a previous engagement with an antisemitic conspiracy theory.
Despite Musk’s attempt to downplay his problematic tweet as “a joke,” the response from the public was overwhelmingly negative. Check some of the reactions below:
lmao remember when you fired someone for not laughing at your dumb joke, maybe that’s why you can’t tell the difference pic.twitter.com/7vmALwaa6Q
— Jules Suzdaltsev (@jules_su) September 16, 2024
Cause it wasn't funny to begin with @elonmusk
— Martin Muldoon (@MuldoonMartin) September 16, 2024
At your age I know you’re aware of your disability and your inability to communicate effectively and understand humor. I give you a little slack because of your Asperger’s, but no one finds you funny, most people look at you as a dangerous hateful human being whose quest for…
— ProudTexasDemocrat (@MakeTexasBlue22) September 16, 2024
the likelihood you surround yourself with sycophants seems high.
— Hannah Cox (@HannahDCox) September 16, 2024
Wow. You mean there might actually be some relevant differences between private comments to a few like-minded people vs. posting to tens of millions of people on your $44B megaphone?
Did you come to this realization all by yourself?
— Autarkh (@Autarkh) September 16, 2024
Well, I don't think you're funny at all Elon. Don't give up your day job. You'd be the most boring stand up comedian in history bro🥱
— Jürgen .. 🌎❤️ (@Jurgen80048425) September 16, 2024
Personally I think that the man who’s the face and representation of an app that millions upon millions use everyday should at the very least be slightly responsible about the posts he makes.
But that’s just me. pic.twitter.com/PNq12PXs8P
— Mike27356894 (@Mike27356894) September 16, 2024
You should have been suspended! You violated your own TOS!
— And Still I Rise 🌊🌊🌊🌊 (@invictis117) September 16, 2024
