Elon Musk has reignited controversy by amplifying a past remark from LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman regarding President Donald Trump, stirring debate across social media and political circles.
Elon Musk has once again thrust a controversial political moment into the limelight, this time by highlighting a previous remark made by Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn. Musk shared a post on X that referenced Hoffman’s earlier comment in reaction to the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, reigniting discussions across social media and political platforms.
In his post, Musk stated, “Just a reminder that Reid Hoffman really did say in a public forum that he wished President Trump had been killed in the assassination attempt.” This remark was shared alongside a screenshot from a discussion that took place during the July 2024 Sun Valley conference, an annual event that gathers prominent technology leaders and major investors.
The screenshot captured an exchange between Hoffman and venture capitalist Peter Thiel, who has been a vocal supporter of Trump. During their conversation, Thiel appeared to mock Hoffman for his support of legal actions against Trump, suggesting that these lawsuits had inadvertently transformed Trump into a political “martyr,” thereby enhancing his appeal among voters.
Hoffman responded by saying, “Yeah, I wish I had made him an actual martyr.” Those present during the discussion characterized the comment as sarcastic and part of a heated political debate. However, the remark resurfaced shortly after the assassination attempt on Trump, leading to significant backlash.
Following the criticism in 2024, Hoffman clarified that his words were not intended as a literal call for violence. He explained that the comment was meant as dark humor aimed at both Trump and Thiel’s political views. Despite this clarification, the comment continued to circulate online, with critics arguing that such language is inappropriate regardless of intent.
By resharing the screenshot, Musk has once again drawn attention to this exchange and intensified scrutiny regarding how influential figures in the tech industry discuss political matters. His post has also revived a broader conversation about how remarks made in private settings can resurface later and carry greater significance as political contexts evolve.
Historically, Hoffman has advocated for tech leaders to engage actively during periods of political uncertainty, arguing that remaining neutral does not shield companies or individuals from potential repercussions in the future. Musk’s recent post has reignited discussions surrounding these earlier sentiments.
As the political landscape continues to shift, the implications of such remarks from influential figures remain a topic of concern and debate, highlighting the intersection of technology and politics in contemporary discourse.
The post originally appeared on The American Bazaar.