With the 2024 election season heating up, Elon Musk‘s recent deleted tweet about the absence of certain threats to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris has sparked widespread controversy. This incident, following a reported assassination attempt on Donald Trump, has once again thrust the tech billionaire’s online presence into the political spotlight.
Here’s a breakdown of Musk’s tweet, the reaction from the US Secret Service.
What did Elon Musk’s deleted tweet say about Harris and Biden?
Elon Musk’s deleted tweet read, “no one is even trying” to assassinate President Joe Biden or Vice President Kamala Harris, followed by a raised eyebrow emoji. (via BBC)
This controversial statement followed a reported assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump at his golf course in Florida. Musk, a known ally of Trump, has frequently expressed his political views, often criticizing both Biden and Harris on his social media platform, X (formerly Twitter). Musk later removed the post, clarifying that it was meant as a joke.
He stated that he did not anticipate the reaction his tweet would provoke, especially since text can easily misinterpret context and tone. Nonetheless, the post quickly faced backlash from users across the political spectrum, many of whom accused Musk of making light of potential political violence.
How did US Secret Service react to Elon Musk’s assassination tweet?
The US Secret Service confirmed that they were “aware” of Elon Musk’s post but declined to comment on specifics, citing their standard practice of not discussing protective intelligence operations. (via Reuters)
However, they assured the public that they thoroughly investigate all threats, including those made on social media. This is especially true for the protection of key political figures like the president and vice president.
It remains unclear whether the Secret Service reached out to Musk directly, but their acknowledgment of the post highlights their serious stance on any rhetoric that could be interpreted as a threat. The White House condemned Musk’s tweet as “irresponsible,” emphasizing that no one should joke about or encourage political violence.
Musk deleted the post and expressed regret, prompting discussions about his responsibilities as a public figure. The White House’s response emphasizes the need to discourage rhetoric that could incite violence, even if intended as a joke.
