White House calls out Musk's Harris assassination 'joke' as 'irresponsible'
The White House called Elon Musk’s now-deleted “joke,” which questioned why “no one is even trying” to assassinate Vice President Harris, “irresponsible” in a statement Monday.
“As President Biden and Vice President Harris said after yesterday’s disturbing news, ‘there is no place for political violence or for any violence ever in our country,’ and ‘we all must do our part to ensure that this incident does not lead to more violence,'” White House spokesperson Andrew Bates said.
“Violence should only be condemned, never encouraged or joked about. This rhetoric is irresponsible,” Bates continued.
Musk's post came hours after former President Trump was targeted in a second apparent assassination attempt Sunday. The former president, who was playing golf at the time, was not harmed, and the suspect was apprehended shortly after being spotted along the perimeter of the golf course in West Palm Beach, Fla.
Musk quoted a post on the social platform X that read “Why they want to kill Donald Trump?” and added his own commentary, writing, “And no one is even trying to assassinate Kamala,” with a thinking-face emoji.
Musk, the owner of X, deleted the post on his platform early Monday and maintained it was a “joke.”
“Well, 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 Monday, adding later, “Turns out that jokes are WAY less funny if people don’t know the context and the delivery is plain text.”
The now-deleted post drew heavy condemnation from various political figures and commentators.
“What is wrong with this guy?!?! Can anyone who loves him have an intervention? I’m serious this is off the rails,” former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) wrote on X.
The former congressman later wrote, “A reminder that @elonmusk is a contractor for DOD and the US Govt and has said things that would have gotten anyone kicked out of the military. He needs to stop, or the govt needs to treat him equally to everyone else. Being rich doesn’t put you above the law.”
Conservative columnist Jonah Goldberg called Musk’s post “appalling and indefensible.”
The incident Sunday came just nine weeks after a shooter opened fire at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania, striking the former president in the ear and killing one attendee.
Musk endorsed Trump’s reelection bid shortly after the July shooting and has since levied a series of attacks against Vice President Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee.
The tech leader has faced scrutiny for various posts and reposts on X in recent months, including last November, when he engaged with a post about an antisemitic conspiracy theory.
The Hill has reached out to X for comment.
Miranda Nazzaro contributed.
Date: |
-
The Hill - Politics
Harris calls Trump after apparent assassination attempt
Vice President Harris called former President Trump on Tuesday for a quick conservation following the apparent second assassination attempt against him on Sunday. Harris expressed to Trump “that ...Yesterday - Donald Trump -
The Hill - Politics
Vance calls out Democrats, media after apparent Trump assassination attempt
Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) slammed Democrats and the media Tuesday over their rhetoric about former President Trump, just days after the former president faced a second apparent assassination attempt. ...Yesterday - Donald Trump -
NBC News - Top stories
Trump and Harris had 'cordial' call following apparent assassination attempt
Trump to hold first public event since apparent assassination attemptYesterday - Donald Trump -
The Hill - Politics
Watch live: White House holds briefing in wake of second Trump assassination attempt
Please note: This event has been delayed, and is now scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. EDT. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre is set to hold the press briefing Tuesday as the Biden ...Yesterday - Donald Trump -
The Guardian - World
Trump appears at town hall in Michigan; Walz says Trump lost thousands of North Carolina jobs – live
Donald Trump will speak at town hall in Flint; Kamala Harris running mate suggests Trump’s ‘concept’ of a healthcare plan is ‘weak’. As far as the election campaign is concerned, this week the ...Yesterday - Donald Trump -
NBC News - Top stories
White House holds press briefing
Watch live coverage as White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre holds a press briefing.14 hours ago -
The Hill - Politics
Watch live: White House holds press briefing
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre will speak with reporters Wednesday, as the Biden administration manages a string of critical security developments at home and abroad. Secretary of ...10 hours ago
More from The Hill
-
The Hill - Politics
Trump vows to travel to Springfield following false pet-eating claims
Former President Trump pledged to travel to Springfield, Ohio, after false claims that he and his running mate, Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), have made about Haitian immigrants eating pets in the city. ...1 hour ago - Donald Trump -
The Hill - Politics
Republican Arizona county chair endorses Democrat to replace him
The Republican chair of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors in Arizona has endorsed a Democrat to replace him. "I am endorsing Joel [Navarro] because he is a man of integrity, because he is a ...2 hours ago -
The Hill - Politics
Newark official wins special election to fill late New Jersey Rep. Payne's seat
Newark City Council President LaMonica McIver (D) has won the special election to fill a vacant House seat representing New Jersey’s 10th Congressional District, according to Decision Desk HQ. ...2 hours ago -
The Hill - Politics
RFK Jr. says he's helping Trump pick leaders of FDA, NIH, CDC
Former independent presidential candidate and antivaccine advocate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said that former President Trump wants him to choose leaders for key public health agencies if he wins the ...3 hours ago - Donald Trump -
The Hill - Politics
EPA retaliated against three scientists, says watchdog
Presented by TerraPower — The Environmental Protection Agency’s internal watchdog has found that the agency retaliated against three staffers for expressing different scientific opinions. {beacon} ...4 hours ago