The U.S. Secret Service confirmed on Monday that it was aware of a social media post by billionaire Elon Musk, in which he commented on the absence of assassination attempts against President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Musk, the owner of the platform X, formerly known as Twitter, made the remark after a man suspected of plotting to kill former Republican President Donald Trump was arrested at Trump’s golf course in West Palm Beach on Sunday.
In his post, Musk, a supporter of Trump and the CEO of Tesla, reflected on the situation and wrote: “And no one is even trying to assassinate Biden/Kamala,” concluding his post with an eyebrow-raising emoji. The statement quickly drew backlash from both sides of the political spectrum, with users of X expressing concern that Musk’s words could potentially incite violence against the current president and vice president, who are key figures in the upcoming 2024 U.S. presidential election.
Musk’s post, which was visible to his nearly 200 million followers, was soon deleted. However, the Secret Service, whose primary responsibility is the protection of current and former U.S. leaders and other high-profile officials, had already taken note of the comment.
A spokesperson for the Secret Service stated in an email to Reuters, “The Secret Service is aware of the social media post made by Elon Musk and as a matter of practice, we do not comment on matters involving protective intelligence.” The agency emphasized, “We can say, however, that the Secret Service investigates all threats related to our protectees.”
Although the agency did not reveal whether they had directly contacted Musk regarding the matter, the billionaire responded to the criticism in subsequent posts on X. He appeared to dismiss the seriousness of the original comment, describing it as a joke. “Well, one lesson I’ve learned is that just because I say something to a group and they laugh doesn’t mean it’s going to be all that hilarious as a post on X,” Musk wrote. He acknowledged that humor often does not translate well in text, adding, “Turns out that jokes are WAY less funny if people don’t know the context and the delivery is plain text.”
Musk’s initial remark followed an incident in which a man allegedly planned to kill Trump. While no harm came to the former president, the situation drew widespread attention, particularly given the political atmosphere as the 2024 presidential election nears. Trump, who has already announced his bid for a second term in the White House, is expected to face Biden in the election. Vice President Harris, also a key figure in the campaign, is set to run for re-election alongside Biden.
In response to the news of the attempted assassination plot against Trump, both Biden and Harris expressed their relief that the former president had not been injured. Harris, a Democrat, issued a statement on Sunday night, while Biden also publicly condemned any form of political violence. The vice president’s office reiterated the importance of ensuring the safety of all political figures, regardless of party affiliation.
As expected, Musk’s post did not sit well with the White House. On Monday, Andrew Bates, a spokesperson for the White House, addressed the situation directly, condemning the tone of Musk’s remarks. “Violence should only be condemned, never encouraged or joked about. This rhetoric is irresponsible,” Bates said, emphasizing that political discourse, particularly in a tense election cycle, should not include comments that could potentially fuel harmful behavior.
The backlash Musk received for his post is not surprising, given his large and diverse following on X. With nearly 200 million people subscribed to his updates, his statements carry significant weight, and as the owner of the platform, his influence has grown even further. Despite this, Musk’s response to the controversy focused on the misunderstanding of his intended humor, rather than addressing the broader concerns about the potential impact of his words.
While it remains unclear whether the Secret Service will take any further action regarding Musk’s post, the agency’s statement highlights its ongoing responsibility to investigate any perceived threats to its protectees. Given the heightened security concerns surrounding both Biden and Harris as the 2024 election approaches, any comments, whether intended as jokes or otherwise, are likely to be taken seriously by law enforcement and government agencies.
This incident adds to the growing tension in the political landscape as the United States moves closer to another presidential election. The rise of social media and its role in shaping political discourse has been a key issue, with platforms like X serving as a battleground for public opinion, political strategy, and, in some cases, controversy.
Musk’s ownership of X has brought additional scrutiny to the platform, particularly as he often uses it to voice his opinions on various matters, including politics. Since acquiring the platform, Musk has made a number of changes, both to its structure and its policies, drawing both praise and criticism. His approach to free speech on the platform has been lauded by some as a defense of open dialogue, while others have criticized it for allowing misinformation and harmful rhetoric to spread more easily.
As the 2024 election season continues to unfold, public figures like Musk, who hold significant influence through social media, will likely face increased scrutiny for their statements. The debate over the responsibilities of social media platforms in moderating content, particularly when it comes to political discourse, is unlikely to fade anytime soon.
In this case, Musk’s deleted post serves as a reminder of the fine line between free speech and the potential consequences of public remarks, especially when made by individuals with vast platforms and influence. As the Secret Service continues to monitor threats against the president, vice president, and other officials, the role of social media in shaping political narratives and possibly inciting violence remains a critical issue for both law enforcement and the public at large.
