Secret Service Acknowledges Elon Musk’s Controversial Post on Biden and Harris

The US Secret Service has confirmed that it is aware of a recent social media post by Elon Musk, in which he remarked that “no one is even trying” to assassinate President Joe Biden or Vice President Kamala Harris. Musk has since removed the post and clarified that it was intended as a joke.

Musk’s comments appeared on X, formerly known as Twitter, shortly after a suspected assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump at his Florida golf course. The tech billionaire is known for his close association with Trump, who has expressed plans to involve Musk in a “government efficiency commission” if he secures a second term in office.

The post, which included a raised eyebrow emoji, drew significant backlash from X users. Many criticized the statement as potentially inciting violence against the current President and Vice President. In response, the White House condemned Musk’s remarks, calling them “irresponsible.” The official statement emphasized that “violence should only be condemned, never encouraged or joked about,” and underscored the need to reject all forms of political and physical violence.

In a brief response to the BBC, the Secret Service stated that it was “aware” of Musk’s post but refrained from providing further details. The agency noted its standard practice of not commenting on matters involving protective intelligence, although it assured that all threats related to its protectees are investigated.

After removing the controversial post, Musk addressed the situation on X, stating that he had learned that what he might find amusing in a private context may not be perceived the same way online. “One lesson I’ve learned is that just because I say something to a group and they laugh doesn’t mean it’s going to be all that hilarious as a post on X,” he wrote. He added in a follow-up message, “Turns out that jokes are way less funny if people don’t know the context and the delivery is in plain text.”

Musk’s relationship with Trump has been notably supportive, particularly following a separate assassination attempt against the former president on July 13, 2023, during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. In that incident, a suspect fired multiple shots, injuring Trump and killing a rally attendee. Following this event, Musk has frequently voiced criticism of both Biden and Harris on social media while showing support for Trump.

The controversy surrounding Musk’s post highlights the sensitive nature of political commentary in the current climate and raises questions about the responsibilities of public figures in their use of social media. The Secret Service’s involvement underscores the seriousness with which threats against high-profile figures are taken, even when such statements are later clarified as jokes.