Elon Musk found himself in the middle of a political firestorm after posting, then deleting, a comment on X that questioned why there have been no assassination attempts on President Joe Biden or Vice President Kamala Harris. Musk’s remark came after Donald Trump was the target of a second assassination attempt, which took place at his Florida golf club.
In a statement to the Washington Examiner, Musk defended his comment, stating that Biden and Harris are “puppets of the system” who can be easily replaced, unlike Trump, whom he views as a unique political figure. Musk further explained that this distinction is why Trump, not Biden or Harris, has been the focus of assassination attempts.
The Secret Service, which oversees the safety of Biden, Harris, and Trump, acknowledged the controversial post and confirmed that it takes all potential threats seriously. While Musk stated that he had not been contacted by the Secret Service regarding his comment, he admitted that posting it was a mistake, calling it “dumb.”
Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH), Trump’s vice-presidential running mate, echoed Musk’s perspective during a speech in Atlanta, where he pointed out that no recent attempts had been made on Biden or Harris. Vance’s comments were addressed during a White House press conference, where press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre condemned the rhetoric, calling it “dangerous” and capable of inciting violence.
Despite the criticism, Musk has maintained his support for Trump, having endorsed him over Harris earlier this year. Musk’s involvement in the political spotlight continues to draw attention, as both sides weigh in on his influence and statements.
