Elon Musk Says 'Legacy Mainstream Media' Wants Him Assassinated

 

Elon Musk, the world's wealthiest individual and a prominent Republican donor, has alleged that the "legacy mainstream media" is inciting assassinations against him and former President Donald Trump.

Musk, who identifies as a "free-speech absolutist," has faced criticism for disseminating misleading information on social media and for his support of Trump. He claims that this scrutiny puts his life in danger.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Musk stated, "With their relentless hit pieces, legacy mainstream media are actively encouraging the assassination of @realDonaldTrump and now me." He accompanied this statement with an image of a cover from the center-left German newspaper, Der Spiegel, which labeled him as "Enemy number two."

During a pro-Trump town hall in Pennsylvania, Musk referenced the Der Spiegel article, asserting that his involvement in politics significantly heightens his risk of assassination. "Engaging in politics is not what I want to do," he told the audience. "I do not have a death wish. But the stakes are so high that I feel I have no choice but to do it, and that's the reason."

Musk questioned the label of being "enemy number two" and stated, "I'm pro-democracy. I'm literally trying to uphold the Constitution and ensure we have a free and fair election," which garnered applause from the crowd.

He indicated that he is "definitely upgrading my security" and quipped, "I better cancel that open-car parade," seemingly referencing the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

The X owner expressed being "shook" by the "level of vitriolic hatred on the left." Musk has previously attracted criticism for his inflammatory political comments. He has faced backlash for making "jokes" about the assassination of Vice President Kamala Harris, following several threats against Trump's life. In a recent interview with Tucker Carlson, he remarked, "Nobody's even trying to kill Kamala because it's pointless."

He echoed this sentiment in September on X, saying, "No one is even trying to assassinate Biden/Kamala," shortly after the second assassination attempt on Trump, which sparked intense criticism and a subsequent apology from him.

While there have been threats and attempts on the lives of President Joe Biden and Harris, those responsible were apprehended.

Trump has faced two reported assassination attempts during the 2024 election cycle. On July 13, at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, Thomas Matthew Crooks fired shots, killing one person and grazing Trump's ear. The second attempt occurred on September 15 when Ryan Wesley Routh was arrested near Trump's Florida golf course while armed with a rifle.

Steven Cheung, Trump’s campaign spokesperson, stated, "President Trump and his campaign have been incredibly resilient under constant attacks by the media and would-be assassins who have blood on their hands, but we continue to persevere because the mission to Make America Great Again is too important. The media has already memory-holed the assassination attempt in Butler and disgustingly reverted to attacking President Trump mere days after a bullet struck his head, coming within millimeters of taking his life."