Elon Musk Under Secret Service Scrutiny After Controversial Post

The U.S. Secret Service is investigating Elon Musk’s deleted post about presidential safety, raising questions about free speech and national security.

At a Glance

Secret Service investigating Elon Musk’s deleted post about Biden and Harris.
Musk claimed the post was a joke, but faced criticism and deleted it.
The White House condemned Musk’s post as “irresponsible rhetoric.”
Investigation highlights the seriousness of potential threats to protected officials.

Secret Service Takes Action on Musk’s Controversial Post

The U.S. Secret Service has launched an investigation into a now-deleted post by Elon Musk on his social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. The post, which implied a lack of assassination attempts on President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, has drawn scrutiny from law enforcement and criticism from the White House.

The Secret Service confirmed its awareness of Musk’s post but refrained from providing detailed comments to maintain the integrity of its investigative processes. This development underscores the agency’s commitment to thoroughly examining any statements that could be perceived as threats to the safety of protected leaders.

Musk’s Explanation and Aftermath

Following the backlash, Musk deleted the controversial post and attempted to explain it as a joke gone wrong. He acknowledged the challenges of translating humor to social media, stating, “Turns out that jokes are WAY less funny if people don’t know the context and the delivery is plain text.”

Despite Musk’s explanation, the incident has sparked a broader conversation about the responsibilities of public figures and the potential consequences of their statements, especially when they concern matters of national security.

White House and Legal Implications

The White House swiftly condemned Musk’s post, emphasizing the seriousness of such remarks. A statement from the administration declared, “Violence should only be condemned, never encouraged or joked about. This rhetoric is irresponsible.” This response highlights the gravity with which the government views potential threats to its highest-ranking officials.

While the White House is condemning Elon, it is taking fire for using dangerous rhetoric of its own. Peter Doocy recently questioned White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre over the administration’s continued use of labeling Donald Trump as a threat despite the recent assassination attempts.

It’s important to note that threatening the president or vice president is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison. While Musk’s post may not necessarily lead to disciplinary action, the investigation underscores the seriousness with which such statements are treated, regardless of the intent behind them.