Sep 16, 2024 - Business

"Irresponsible": White House slams Musk's comment on Trump assassination attempt

Sareen Habeshian

Elon Musk speaks at The Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) Annual Hamptons Gala at Parrish Art Museum on August 24, 2024 in Water Mill, New York. (Photo by Jared Siskin/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images) — Elon Musk on Aug. 24 in Water Mill, N.Y. Photo: Jared Siskin/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

The White House on Monday criticized Elon Musk's now-deleted post that questioned why former President Trump has recently faced two apparent assassination attempts while President Biden and Vice President Harris have not.

The big picture: After Sunday's apparent attempt on Trump's life, Musk wrote on his X platform in a since-removed post, "And no one is even trying to assassinate Biden/Kamala 🤔."

The billionaire entrepreneur initially resisted calls online to delete the post. He responded to one request to reconsider his comment, saying, "No one has even tried to do so is the point I'm making and no one will."
He responded to another request to delete and reword with, "Fair enough. I don't want to do what they have done, even in jest."
Musk eventually deleted the post and tried to claim it was a joke.

What they're saying: "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 in a statement.

"Violence should only be condemned, never encouraged or joked about. This rhetoric is irresponsible," he continued.
Representatives of X didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

Go deeper: Trump targeted in apparent assassination attempt, FBI investigating

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"Irresponsible": White House slams Musk's comment on Trump assassination attempt

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