Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, is facing intense criticism on his own social media platform, X (formerly known as Twitter), after making a controversial joke about President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. In a now-deleted post, Musk questioned why there haven’t been any assassination attempts on Biden and Harris, sparking a wave of backlash and calls for his deportation.
The hashtag #DeportElonMusk quickly gained momentum as users voiced their anger over Musk’s remarks. Many X users, including some of his critics and even former supporters, demanded that Musk, a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from South Africa, be deported to his birthplace of Pretoria. One user wrote, “Who else here feels that Elon Musk should be stripped of his security clearance, and U.S. citizenship and then deported back to his home nation of South Africa?”
The uproar began after Musk responded to another user’s question about the motives behind recent assassination attempts on former President Donald Trump. In his response, Musk remarked, “And no one is even trying to assassinate Biden/Kamala,” a statement that many found highly inappropriate and dangerous. The post was quickly deleted, but screenshots circulated widely, intensifying the controversy.
A Growing Outcry
Critics argue that Musk’s words could incite violence, with some even suggesting his comments qualify as domestic terrorism. One user posted, “This has to qualify as domestic terrorism and a threat to the chief executive. He’s hinting at a desired action.” Others pointed out Musk’s massive influence and how such a statement, even if intended as a joke, could easily be taken seriously by some.
The timing of Musk’s post added fuel to the fire, coming shortly after a second attempted assassination of Donald Trump. On Sunday, Ryan Wesley Routh was arrested near the International Golf Club in Florida, accused of trying to kill the former president. Secret Service agents opened fire after spotting Routh armed with a rifle near the club’s perimeter fence. This incident followed another attempt on Trump’s life in July, when a gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, attempted to assassinate him at a rally in Pennsylvania.
Musk’s response to these attempts, especially his comparison to Biden and Harris, left many stunned. The fact that the post was quickly deleted did little to dampen the outrage. Instead, users took screenshots and shared them across X, where discussions about Musk’s influence, free speech, and potential for inciting violence have continued to spread.
Who else here feels that Elon Musk should be stripped of his security clearance, and U.S. citizenship and then deported back to his home nation of South Africa? pic.twitter.com/wk16pG4y1g
— Lakota Man (@LakotaMan1) September 16, 2024
In the past week or so Elon Musk has joked about raping Taylor Swift, lamented that nobody is trying to assassinate the sitting Vice President and perpetuated his 10 year old consumer fraud.
Just another week for the Smartest Man in the World ™ #DeportElonMusk pic.twitter.com/07VGShM7nY
— Peter A. Roselle (@PhenomenalPoto) September 16, 2024
Here's one African American that needs to go back where he came from. #DeportElonMusk pic.twitter.com/G02ECxQJh0
— Modern Man (@tooronlists) September 16, 2024
The Debate Over Musk’s Citizenship
Many users calling for Musk’s deportation are focusing on his status as a naturalized American citizen. Elon Musk, born in Pretoria, South Africa, immigrated to the United States and became a U.S. citizen in 2002. Now, some users believe that his recent comments warrant him being stripped of his citizenship and deported.
“Who else here feels that Elon Musk should be stripped of his security clearance, and U.S. citizenship and then deported back to his home nation of South Africa?” one user wrote, echoing the sentiment of many others across the platform.
While some are using the #DeportElonMusk hashtag in a serious tone, others are participating more sarcastically, noting the impossibility of deporting a figure as powerful as Musk. Still, the fact that Musk’s words have sparked this kind of conversation is a clear indication of the controversy that continues to swirl around the billionaire.
#DeportElonMusk. He is a hateful man and has been a supporter of Apartheid. He needs to go back to Pretoria. Hope his daughter is safe from him though. pic.twitter.com/X13VsuCb0U
— Tony Gee (@Kee76Gee) September 16, 2024
Even if they don't #DeportElonMusk, I'm happy to screenshot his post to document that he said this for all relevant authorities to consider his citizenship, government contracts, business practices, and more.
Freedom of speech doesn't mean freedom from consequences. pic.twitter.com/ambpPqI2Lp
— HEY-EY-EY-EY! (HEY-EY-EY-EY!) Let's Go, Buffalo! (@SethFromThe716) September 16, 2024
This tweet alone should give the government all it needs to revoke his US citizenship and pull all his government contracts which will force him to sell this app with his then broke ass.#DeportElonMusk pic.twitter.com/BDMZOmZweU
— Ya betta "SangHeffa" 🌈 (@TheOGSangHeffa) September 16, 2024
The Risks of Provocative Rhetoric
This is not the first time Musk’s comments have stirred controversy. As one of the most prominent figures in the tech industry, Musk often uses X to share his views, sometimes with far-reaching consequences. His remarks on political matters have previously landed him in hot water, but this incident has drawn more attention than usual, given the nature of the subject.
Some commentators have pointed out the broader implications of Musk’s rhetoric, especially as the owner of a social media platform. With millions of followers and a highly engaged user base, Musk’s posts have the potential to shape opinions and even, as some fear, incite violent actions. The fact that the post was quickly deleted suggests that Musk—or those managing his account—recognized the danger in leaving it up, but for many, the damage had already been done.
#DeportElonMusk#deportelonmusk
This has to qualify as domestic terrorism and a threat to the chief executive. He’s hinting at a desired action. pic.twitter.com/jzmzZVLwCf
— Paris Tyler (@ParisofChicago) September 16, 2024
#DeportElonMusk, but at the very least, his account should be suspended for incitement of violence. pic.twitter.com/LKstGyWnha
— HEY-EY-EY-EY! (HEY-EY-EY-EY!) Let's Go, Buffalo! (@SethFromThe716) September 16, 2024
A reminder that Elon Musk is an immigrant who has just posted threats against the Vice President of the United States #DeportElonMusk
— Trueblue (@ponymom48) September 16, 2024
#ApartheidClyde ran from South Africa's violence like a scared chicken and comes to America and incites violence. Pack up your racism and hate and go back to South Africa, you sad, pathetic little man. #deportelonmusk pic.twitter.com/Mbt9xX8LCy
— Jani Beg 😷💉💉💉💉😊 (@begjani51) September 16, 2024
Moving Forward
As the controversy continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how Musk will respond, if at all, to the growing calls for his deportation and the accusations of inciting violence. For now, the debate rages on, with #DeportElonMusk trending and critics weighing in on whether a figure like Musk, with such influence, should be held to higher standards of accountability when it comes to public statements, especially on sensitive political matters.
This incident serves as yet another example of the fine line between free speech and reckless commentary, particularly in an age where words online can have real-world consequences. Whether Musk’s deleted post will lead to any formal actions or simply fade into the background of the internet’s fast-moving news cycle remains to be seen, but it’s clear that for many, his words crossed a line.
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