What's happened
Elon Musk faced backlash after a now-deleted post on X, joking about the lack of assassination attempts on President Biden and Vice President Harris. This comment followed a second apparent assassination attempt on Donald Trump, prompting condemnation from the White House and concerns over incitement of violence.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to Axios, Musk's post was made shortly after a second assassination attempt on Trump, which has led to bipartisan calls for enhanced security for the former president. The White House condemned Musk's comments as 'irresponsible rhetoric' (Axios). Business Insider noted that Musk initially resisted deleting the post, claiming it was misunderstood humor, but later acknowledged the backlash (Business Insider UK). The Independent highlighted the political implications of Musk's comments, suggesting they could incite violence against Biden and Harris (The Independent). Furthermore, the Secret Service confirmed they investigate all threats related to their protectees, indicating the seriousness of Musk's remarks (BBC News).
How we got here
The controversy arose after Musk's post came in the wake of two assassination attempts on Donald Trump, one in July and another recently at his golf course in Florida. Musk, a vocal supporter of Trump, has faced scrutiny for his comments on political violence and their implications.
Common question
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What Did Elon Musk Say About Biden and Harris?
Elon Musk's recent comments on social media have stirred significant controversy, particularly regarding his remarks about President Biden and Vice President Harris in the context of political violence. As public figures, their influence on political discourse raises important questions about accountability and the potential consequences of such statements.
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What Did Elon Musk Say About Assassination Attempts?
Elon Musk recently stirred controversy with a joke about assassination attempts on political figures, leading to significant backlash and discussions about the implications of his comments. This incident raises questions about the responsibility of public figures in political discourse and the potential consequences of their words.
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Elon Reeve Musk FRS is an engineer, industrial designer, technology entrepreneur and philanthropist. He is the founder, CEO, CTO and chief designer of SpaceX; early investor, CEO and product architect of Tesla, Inc.; founder of The Boring Company; co-foun
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
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Kamala Devi Harris is an American attorney and politician who has served as the junior United States Senator from California since 2017.
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Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. is an American politician who is the 46th and current president of the United States. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as the 47th vice president from 2009 to 2017 and represented Delaware in the United States Senate
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