Staff Reports
Elon Musk, the unlikely king of social media and self-proclaimed free speech warrior, recently found himself embroiled in a storm of controversy after he deleted a post that said “no one is even trying to assassinate” President Biden and Vice President Harris. This, of course, came on the heels of an apparent assassination attempt against Donald Trump while he was simply trying to enjoy a round of golf—arguably one of the most relaxing pastimes of a former president’s life. Musk’s quip received backlash that could only be rivaled by a rock concert from his legion of nearly 200 million followers on X, the platform he bought for a cool $44 billion.
The irony here is rich. Musk has increasingly embraced conservative values in his social media musings and has even publicly backed Trump for his 2024 presidential run. Yet, when he made a comment that poked fun at the seriousness of political safety (or lack thereof), he found himself in hot water. This touchy response from the left indicates just how sensitive some became over his offbeat humor. It’s amazing what happens when one of America’s most prominent billionaires vocalizes what many in conservative circles have been thinking.
Elon Musk deletes post about Biden, Harris assassination after widespread criticismhttps://t.co/Rdy25TtbcT pic.twitter.com/dbHYTH91Co
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) September 17, 2024
His tweet was a response to a user who asked why the establishment might have murderous intentions toward Trump, a question that seems to float in the air among those who have watched his polarizing political journey. Musk’s sense of humor may have been a bit misplaced, but in the fast-paced world of social media, who hasn’t said something they later regretted? But it seems that for Musk, backpedaling is becoming a well-practiced art, as he later lamented that the joke didn’t translate quite as humorously as he hoped.
The aftermath was swift and brutal; #DeportElonMusk started trending on X, catching the attention of the ever-watchful White House. A spokesperson for Biden’s administration took the bait, condemning Musk’s comments and labeling them irresponsible, prompting many to wonder whether the left’s sensitivity to jokes has reached a critical level. For a party that seemingly thrives on outrage, it’s notable how quickly the vitriol was unleashed on Musk for a remark that, in all honesty, was more light-hearted than menacing.
Musk’s social media encounters have certainly made waves before, from feuds with foreign leaders to banning far-right accounts in Brazil. Critics have long pointed fingers at him for enabling what they call “violent rhetoric,” but one must wonder: where’s the line between free speech and “worthy” speech? Perhaps instead of wrapping themselves in outrage, detractors should be focused on the real issues at hand, such as the dangerous political climate we’re witnessing, rather than the odd tweet from a billionaire known for pushing boundaries in the name of free expression.
In the grand scheme of things, it appears that Musk’s quest for a free-speech utopia is fraught with minefields, particularly as he attempts to navigate the treacherous waters of political commentary. As he continues to challenge norms, it’s likely he will find himself at odds with the establishment, whether left or right. One thing is for sure: Musk’s willingness to face the backlash head-on, even at the cost of a few jokes, is a refreshing change from the average “Walk on Eggshells” political landscape. In a world grappling with serious political conversations, perhaps a little levity—albeit misplaced—is exactly what everyone needs, even if they don’t realize it yet.
