Two years after Elon Musk initially declared that X must be politically neutral to earn the public’s trust, he has spent millions to boost former President Donald Trump’s campaign and raise concerns about the platform’s neutrality. Musk’s donations to the America PAC, which supports Trump’s campaign and has been involved in boosting conspiracy theories about the election, have totaled just under $75 million. In addition to supporting Trump’s presidential bid, the super PAC is also backing Republicans in key congressional districts and using Musk’s donations for canvasing and advertisements. Musk’s influence on X goes beyond his monetary contributions, as he is the most-followed account on the platform and has used it to amplify Trump talking points, pushing false information about the election.
Musk has faced criticism for using X to promote misleading claims about the election and propagate conspiracy theories. Some of his posts have garnered billions of views and have not been fact-checked by the platform. Musk has also shared false information about voting methods and Democrats, echoing Trump’s campaign talking points. His posts, which include AI-generated images and deceptive claims about voting processes, have reached millions of viewers. Despite being a naturalized citizen himself, Musk has spread misinformation about immigrants and citizenship, contributing to the spread of false narratives about the election.
In addition to his social media influence, Musk’s ownership of X has raised concerns about the platform’s neutrality and potential bias. Musk has reinstated far-right accounts that were previously banned and offered verified checkmarks for sale, leading to misinformation about global issues. His platform’s approach to content moderation has resulted in suspensions of adversarial reporters and political accounts, raising questions about his political agenda and interference in the election. Musk’s suspension of users like Ken Klippenstein, allegedly at the behest of the Trump campaign, has further fueled concerns about his role in shaping political discourse on X.
There are fears that Musk could manipulate X to favor Trump or influence the outcome of the election, especially in the event of a contested result. With Musk’s track record of promoting false information and supporting Trump’s campaign, there are concerns about the potential impact of his platform on public opinion and voter behavior. Musk’s use of X to amplify his own political views and promote Trump talking points has sparked controversy and raised questions about the platform’s role in shaping the election narrative. As Election Day approaches, the public remains wary of Musk’s influence and the potential consequences of his actions on X.
Despite claiming to support free speech, Musk’s management of X has involved suspensions of accounts and restrictions on content that challenge his political agenda. The platform’s response to certain political material, including the suppression of information critical of the Trump campaign, has raised suspicions of bias and censorship. With X playing an increasingly prominent role in shaping public opinion and political discourse, Musk’s actions on the platform have the potential to sway the outcome of the election and impact democratic processes. As the election draws near, the public is left wondering how Musk will wield his power on X and whether his influence will tip the scales in favor of Trump or against his political opponents.
In the midst of a contentious election, Musk’s control of X raises critical questions about the platform’s integrity, neutrality, and influence on the democratic process. His use of X to support Trump’s campaign and spread misleading information about the election has drawn scrutiny from critics who fear his platform could sway public opinion and undermine voter confidence. With Musk’s significant financial contributions to political organizations and his ownership of X providing a powerful platform for promoting his political agenda, the public remains on high alert for any signs of electoral interference or bias. As the election plays out, the role of Musk and X in shaping the political landscape will continue to be a point of contention and concern for those wary of his potential impact on the democratic process.
