Tesla CEO Elon Musk is getting attention from the U.S. Secret Service after posting a controversial comment on his social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), which many have found deeply troubling. Musk’s post came after a second assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, sparking a response that some view as distasteful given its nature.
The now-deleted post was Musk’s reply to a user who questioned why there had been multiple attempts on Trump’s life, writing, “And no one is even trying to assassinate Biden/Kamala???” This comment, intended by Musk as a joke, quickly went viral, garnering millions of views and drawing backlash from various corners, including the Secret Service, which monitors threats against high-profile political figures such as President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
BREAKING
Secret Service is probing Elon Musk's now deleted tweet about Biden/Harris assassination. pic.twitter.com/p1YRXbl9TF
— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) September 19, 2024
Although Musk deleted the post after the negative reaction, it was too late to avoid scrutiny. In response to the controversy, Musk explained in a follow-up message that what might be humorous in person does not necessarily translate well in plain text on social media. Despite this, his comments ignited significant criticism. Musk later reflected, “Turns out that jokes are WAY less funny if people don’t know the context”.
Following the post, the Secret Service confirmed that it was aware of Musk’s comment, though the agency has refrained from providing specific details about their investigation, as is common practice in cases involving protective intelligence. The agency did, however, clarify that they investigate all potential threats to individuals under their protection, including those made on social media.
The Secret Service is looking into Elon Musk's tweet about Kamala Harris and Joe Biden:
“As a matter of practice, we do not comment on matters involving protective intelligence. We can say, however, that the Secret Service investigates all threats related to our protectees.” pic.twitter.com/IKOPmtLeyk
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) September 19, 2024
The situation escalated further when Bloomberg submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the Secret Service, seeking documents related to the investigation. However, the request was denied, with the agency citing that releasing such records could interfere with ongoing law enforcement proceedings. This refusal has only fueled speculation regarding the seriousness of the probe.
This incident occurs in the wake of two recent assassination attempts on Trump’s life, making Musk’s remarks particularly ill-timed. The FBI and Secret Service have been on high alert following these attempts, which have highlighted growing concerns about the security of political figures ahead of the 2024 presidential election.
Musk’s controversial use of social media has landed him in hot water before, but this episode may have more serious consequences. His ownership of X, a major social media platform, has amplified the impact of his statements, prompting debates over the responsibilities that come with such influence. Critics argue that even offhand remarks by influential figures like Musk can have real-world consequences, especially in the current charged political climate.
As the investigation continues, Musk has attempted to downplay the post, insisting it was merely a joke taken out of context. However, given the serious nature of assassination threats, the Secret Service has little choice but to treat such comments with utmost caution. Whether Musk faces further legal consequences or the issue is resolved quietly remains to be seen.
