Elon Musk’s deleted post about Biden and Harris sparks Secret Service investigation.
At a Glance
- Secret Service investigating Musk’s deleted post suggesting no assassination attempts on Biden or Harris
- Musk claimed the post was intended as a joke but deleted it after public uproar
- White House condemned Musk’s post as “irresponsible rhetoric”
- Threatening the president or vice president is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison
Secret Service Launches Investigation into Musk’s Controversial Post
The U.S. Secret Service has initiated an investigation into a now-deleted post by Elon Musk on his social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. The post in question suggested that “no one is even trying to assassinate” President Joe Biden or Vice President Kamala Harris, contrasting it with recent assassination attempts on former President Donald Trump.
The Secret Service, responding to a Freedom of Information Act request, confirmed that they have compiled records on Musk’s post “for law enforcement purposes.” However, they are withholding these records to avoid interfering with ongoing enforcement proceedings. This development underscores the agency’s commitment to investigating all potential threats against key government figures, regardless of the source or intent.
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
Musk’s Explanation and White House Response
Following the public outcry, Musk deleted the controversial post and attempted to explain his actions. He claimed the post was intended as a joke, acknowledging that humor doesn’t always translate well on social media platforms without proper context.
“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 explained. He further added, “Turns out that jokes are WAY less funny if people don’t know the context and the delivery is plain text.”
The White House swiftly condemned Musk’s post, issuing a statement that read, “Violence should only be condemned, never encouraged or joked about. This rhetoric is irresponsible.” The administration’s response highlights the seriousness with which threats against high-ranking officials are treated, even when claimed to be in jest.
Implications and Potential Consequences
While the investigation does not necessarily mean Musk will face disciplinary action, it serves as a reminder of the gravity of such statements. Threatening the president or vice president is a felony that can carry a sentence of up to five years in prison. The Secret Service’s involvement underscores the fine line between free speech and potential threats to national security figures.
“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,” Secret Service spokesperson Melissa McKenzie said in a statement. “The Secret Service investigates all threats related to our protectees.”
This incident serves as a cautionary tale about the power of social media and the responsibility that comes with a large platform. It also highlights the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in distinguishing between genuine threats and ill-conceived attempts at humor in the digital age.
