Twitter users are slamming Elon Musk after the social platform’s CEO called for the release of confessed Capitol rioter Jacob Chansley, dubbed the “QAnon Shaman.”
“Free Jacob Chansley,” Musk tweeted to his 130 million followers on Friday, doubling down on his denialism of the Jan 6 attack on the US Capitol and seemingly suggesting the rioter’s sentence was unwarranted.
Chansley, who earned his nickname by raiding the U.S. Capitol bare-chested on Jan. 6 with a furry Viking-style hat and face paint, carrying an American flag zip-tied to a spear, got 41 months in prison, or just shy of three and a half years for making threats and disrupting Congress as its members attempted to certify the results of the 2020 election.
Over 1,000 people have been arrested for their participation in the attack on the Capitol and the law enforcement officers defending it. More than 300 of them have been charged with physically assaulting officers or employees.
Yet Musk has recently begun to promote the false idea — pushed by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), Fox News host Tucker Carlson and other conservatives — that the Capitol attack was actually a mostly peaceful event.
Musk’s tweet was met with derision with users slamming the billionaire for embracing QAnon conspiracies.
Check some of the responses below.
Free Jacob Chansley https://t.co/8BbeXF2Fye
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 10, 2023
Very disappointed in you Mr Musk The GUY PLEADED GUILTY AND he stood out causing all sorts of criminal behavior on LIVE TV. Wrong side of history, Sir you should have more love for a country that made you RICH!! 🙏😩😩
— Kiki Melendez (@kikimelendez) March 11, 2023
Here is what you won't see on Fox News -Chansely in Senate threatening to kill Mike Pence. pic.twitter.com/GoqXj16QAr
— (((DeanObeidallah))) (@DeanObeidallah) March 11, 2023
As the peaceful Jacob Chansley admitted when pleading guilty: he refused to leave the Capitol when asked by police and he "Used his bullhorn to rile up the crowd and demand that lawmakers be brought out.”
— (((DeanObeidallah))) (@DeanObeidallah) March 11, 2023
hey maybe you can hire him at twitter
— Miley 🐡 (@MilesKlee) March 10, 2023
Do you think that algorithm you’re running right now could turn down the Altright/Proudboy/MealTeam6-wanna-be-militia propaganda I keep seeing all the time? It’s Getting pathetic at this point
— Charles Ryan Mauk (@charliemizza) March 11, 2023
You can be his daddy when he gets out, Elon.
— Joey Salvia (@joeysalvia) March 11, 2023
Maybe @TuckerCarlson and @elonmusk can use this to rewrite 9-11 pic.twitter.com/DaMypWdc8t
— Rick Smith (@RickSmithShow) March 11, 2023
Imagine if you actually used your influence for good, like raising money for food pantries and the homeless.
— David Leavitt (@David_Leavitt) March 11, 2023
