Staff Reports
Recent incidents have highlighted hostile rhetoric toward Elon Musk from some individuals associated with the political left, though direct calls for violence appear isolated rather than representative of broader Democratic Party positions. Here’s the breakdown:
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– A TikTok user who admitted to not filing taxes for eight years posted a video calling for Musk’s assassination, mimicking a throat-slitting gesture. The video was flagged by conservative account Libs of TikTok, prompting a response from Acting U.S. Attorney Ed Martin, who vowed to investigate. Musk later tagged the FBI in the post.
– Democratic Rep. (CA) referred to Musk as a “d—” during a televised interview and suggested bringing “weapons” to a metaphorical “bar fight” against him.
– A Tennessee pastor, Steve Caudle, labeled Musk “satanic” and implied violence might be necessary to stop him, though he is not a Democratic official.
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– Musk’s role in Trump’s administration as a senior advisor and his efforts to slash government spending have drawn fierce criticism from Democrats. Rep. (WA) accused Musk of “wreaking havoc” on federal institutions, particularly targeting his oversight of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
– Progressive lawmakers, including Rep. Ayanna Pressley (MA), have protested Musk’s influence, calling his DOGE reforms a “hostile takeover” of federal agencies.
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– U.S. Attorney Ed Martin has opened probes into Democratic lawmakers, including Sen. Chuck Schumer (NY) and Rep. Garcia, over alleged threats against Musk and DOGE employees.
– Musk’s critics argue that escalating rhetoric—such as comparing him to Hitler or Mussolini—risks inciting violence. Conservative commentator Victor Davis Hanson warned that such language could lead to “acceptable behavior” like assassination attempts.
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– Musk’s partnership with Trump has deepened partisan divides. He played a key role in tanking a bipartisan government funding bill in late 2024, which Democrats blamed for escalating political chaos.
– While no mainstream Democratic leaders have explicitly called for violence, the party has amplified criticism of Musk’s policies, framing them as harmful to public institutions and working-class Americans.
: Isolated individuals and some Democratic figures have used aggressive rhetoric against Musk, but there is no evidence of systemic calls for violence from the party itself. Legal authorities are actively investigating threats, reflecting the charged political climate surrounding Musk’s influence in government.
