Elon Musk, the tech billionaire behind Tesla and SpaceX, came under fire this week after posting a now-deleted comment on X, his social media platform, questioning why no one had attempted to assassinate President Joe Biden or Vice President Kamala Harris. Musk’s post followed a second failed assassination attempt on Donald Trump, sparking outrage and criticism.
In a statement to the Washington Examiner, Musk clarified his remarks, explaining that Biden and Harris are “puppets of the system” who are easily replaceable. Musk’s point, he argued, was that Trump, unlike the current president and vice president, is a leader who disrupts the established order, making him a more likely target for such attacks.
The Secret Service, responsible for the protection of Biden, Harris, and Trump, acknowledged Musk’s post and emphasized that all threats against their protectees are taken seriously. However, Musk confirmed that the agency had not contacted him directly regarding his comment. When asked why he deleted the post, Musk admitted it was a poor decision, stating, “It was dumb.”
Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH), Trump’s running mate, echoed Musk’s sentiments during a recent speech at a Georgia Faith & Freedom Coalition dinner, questioning why Biden and Harris have not been targeted like Trump. His remarks also drew attention, prompting a response from White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, who warned that such language is “dangerous” and could inspire violence.
Despite the backlash, Musk remains a vocal supporter of Trump and has even suggested he might consider serving in Trump’s administration if the opportunity arises.
