Elon Musk has been increasingly vocal about his disdain for the Democratic Party, particularly Vice President Kamala Harris, on his social media platform. He endorsed former President Donald Trump for the upcoming US presidential election and shared an AI-generated image depicting Harris as a communist. Musk’s post violated X’s policy on manipulated content, resembling a similar image shared by Trump last month during the Democratic National Convention. He also shared a screenshot suggesting that only “high status males” should participate in government, sparking controversy and backlash.
The sexist and misogynist content shared by Musk on X has drawn criticism for amplifying disinformation and promoting radical views to a wide audience. Musk, as the most-followed account on the platform, has the power to influence public opinion and shape political discourse. Despite being linked to hate-filled websites like 4Chan, Musk continues to share controversial posts that garner millions of views. X did not respond to requests for comment on Musk’s posts, raising concerns about the platform’s moderation policies.
Musk’s posts come at a critical time, with an historic American presidential election approaching and X being used as a platform for campaigning and spreading political propaganda. Musk, who took over Twitter in a multi-billion-dollar acquisition, had initially promised to keep the platform politically neutral. However, his posts and the lack of fact-checking through X’s community notes feature indicate a shift towards promoting pro-Trump content. Musk’s influence as one of the world’s most powerful individuals is evident in the reach and impact of his social media posts.
Despite backlash and criticism, Musk’s supporters defend his posts as satirical or not meant to be taken seriously. However, Musk’s influence and the potential impact of his content on public opinion cannot be ignored. As X continues to grapple with issues of misinformation and hate speech, Musk’s role as the platform’s owner and most influential user raises questions about accountability and responsible use of social media. The battle over access to X in Brazil underscores the global implications of Musk’s platform and the need for greater oversight and regulation of online content.
