Elon Musk has faced backlash after joking about the assassination of Vice President Kamala Harris for the second time since she became a presidential candidate. In an interview with Tucker Carlson, Musk said, “Nobody’s even trying to kill Kamala because it’s pointless.” Both Musk and Carlson laughed following the comment. Musk elaborated, “What do you achieve? Nothing, you just bought another puppet,” Carlson responded, “It’s deep and true, though.”
Musk’s remarks have drawn significant criticism, with many finding them dangerous and inappropriate for someone in his position. Former congressman Adam Kinzinger, a frequent Trump and Musk critic, condemned the comments, stating, “The government needs to cut @elonmusk and his companies out of contracting for the US Govt. I can think of nothing more dangerous than this.”
Olivia Troye, a former White House adviser in the Trump administration, also criticized Musk.
Musk’s assassination joke sparks backlash
“Joking about assassinating our elected leaders is not just tasteless—it’s dangerous,” Troye wrote. “In today’s divided climate, we need responsible voices, not reckless rhetoric that normalizes violence. It’s un-American for Elon Musk and Tucker Carlson to make light of such serious threats. Our leaders—and all Americans—deserve better.”
Despite Musk’s claims, there have been several threats and attempts to assassinate both Biden and Harris. Notably, in 2021, a man in Virginia was arrested for threatening to set Harris on fire, and another individual was apprehended with a “hit list” of public figures, including Biden and Harris.
The criticisms reflect ongoing concerns about the impact of such statements, especially given Musk’s influence and platform.
Photo by James Lee, Pexels; edited
Cameron is a highly regarded contributor in the rapidly evolving fields of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. His articles delve into the theoretical underpinnings of AI, the practical applications of machine learning across industries, ethical considerations of autonomous systems, and the societal impacts of these disruptive technologies.
