Elon Musk Faces Backlash for Endorsing Antisemitic Post on X
Elon Musk Faces Accusations of Antisemitism
Elon Musk is under fire after supporting an antisemitic post on X, previously known as Twitter. The controversial post accused Jewish people of promoting hatred towards white individuals. Musk replied to the post, stating that the individual had spoken the truth. The claims made in the antisemitic post are rooted in age-old tropes that falsely depict Jewish people as secret controllers of the world with divided loyalties. This theory, known as the ‘Great Replacement Theory,’ suggests that Jewish individuals aim to change the demographic composition of predominantly white countries by encouraging people of color to immigrate. One part of the post that Musk liked referred to ‘hordes of minorities,’ which is believed to align with this theory.
Musk’s History of Bigotry
Musk’s recent endorsement of hate speech is not an isolated incident. Since acquiring X in October 2022, he has been accused of allowing hate speech to thrive on the platform. In just two weeks after Musk’s ownership, the presence of antisemitic posts increased by 61%, according to the Council for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH). This surge in hate speech led X to file a lawsuit against the CCDH, accusing them of conducting a scare campaign to drive away advertisers. The CCDH recently reported that hate speech on the platform has worsened since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict, with 98% of reported violations remaining unaddressed.
Threats of Legal Action
Notably, Musk has previously threatened legal action against advocacy groups. In September, he targeted the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), which focuses on combating antisemitism, accusing them of trying to harm X. Following this incident, Musk met with the CEO of the ADL, but concerns still lingered. Musk’s recent posts referred to the ADL, criticizing them for allegedly attacking the majority of the West despite widespread support for the Jewish people and Israel.
Condemnation from Various Sources
Musk’s actions have drawn condemnation from the business community. Dustin Moskovitz, the CEO of Asana and a cofounder of Facebook, demanded Musk’s resignation. X’s advertisers, already cautious due to the platform’s issues with hate speech and Musk’s behavior, took notice as well. IBM suspended advertising on X following Musk’s post and reports that its ads were displayed alongside pro-Nazi content. These incidents are detrimental to the efforts of the platform’s new CEO, Linda Yaccarino, who has been working to rebuild X’s reputation with advertisers.
Musk’s Defense and Persistent Controversy
After the backlash erupted, Musk took to X to defend himself. He engaged with supporters who believed he was not antisemitic. However, his response only fueled the fire. Musk’s original post, which sparked the controversy, remains on X without being removed.
