The Secret Service is currently investigating Elon Musk over a controversial comment he made on social media concerning assassination attempts against President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
At a Glance
- The Secret Service is investigating a deleted post by Elon Musk on X suggesting no attempts have been made on President Biden or Vice President Harris.
- Musk deleted the post, claiming it was a joke.
- The Secret Service compiled records on Musk’s post for law enforcement purposes but is withholding them to avoid interference with enforcement proceedings.
- The White House condemned Musk’s post, calling it irresponsible rhetoric.
- Musk is the richest person in the world with a net worth of $259.6 billion.
Elon Musk’s Controversial Post
Elon Musk recently posted on the social media platform X, suggesting there had been no assassination attempts against President Joe Biden or Vice President Kamala Harris. The U.S. Secret Service has confirmed they are aware of the post but are withholding specific details to avoid hampering active enforcement activities. This incident came soon after two assassination attempts on former President Donald Trump.
After public backlash, Musk deleted the post and claimed it was intended as a joke. The Secret Service compiled records of the post for enforcement purposes but has chosen not to disclose them at this time. Such actions align with the agency’s protocols for assessing potential threats against high-profile government officials. The White House has condemned Musk’s comment, labeling it as irresponsible rhetoric.
Secret Service is investigating Elon Musk's 'Biden/Kamala' assassination tweet https://t.co/DgPcliQI3J
— Insider (@thisisinsider) September 19, 2024
Public Backlash and Official Investigations
Musk later clarified that his comment was a joke. However, he acknowledged the risk of misinterpretation on social media, stating that humor might not translate well without context. Despite deleting the post, the incident has caught the attention of the Secret Service, which has a long history of investigating similar threats from lyrics, social media posts, or comedy routines.
“Violence should only be condemned, never encouraged or joked about,” the White House said in a statement. “This rhetoric is irresponsible.”
The agency is also withholding specific details about the compiled records to avoid interference with ongoing enforcement proceedings. Additionally, Musk’s alignment with the political right, including his endorsement of Trump in the upcoming presidential election and amplifying Trump’s messaging on X, has likely contributed to the public scrutiny surrounding his statements.
Political Context and Ramifications
With Elon Musk endorsing Trump and hosting him in interviews, his political allegations have significant weight. Trump has recently announced that he would install Musk as the head of a new “government efficiency commission” if re-elected. This development sheds light on Musk’s increasing influence in conservative circles.
“The Secret Service is investigating a since-deleted post on X by Elon Musk in which he wrote Sunday ‘no one is even trying to assassinate’ President Joe Biden or Vice President Kamala Harris following two assassination attempts on former President Donald Trump,” Bloomberg reported Thursday.
Despite multiple assassination attempts on Trump, no similar incidents have targeted Biden and Harris, a point highlighted by Trump allies. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the Secret Service’s critical role in protecting all high-profile government officials, regardless of political affiliations.