New York — Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, is at the heart of a growing storm of misinformation in the lead-up to the November 2024 U.S. presidential election. Over the past week, Musk has shared and amplified a string of false claims, ranging from a fabricated bomb threat at a Trump rally to misleading election projections, raising alarm about the unchecked spread of disinformation on his platform.
The most recent incident occurred on Wednesday when Musk reshared a false post claiming that a bomb had been found near the site of a Trump rally in Long Island, New York. Local authorities quickly issued a statement refuting the claim, stating that no explosives were discovered. However, by the time the false report was corrected, Musk’s post had already reached over 4.3 million views and was reshared nearly 10,000 times, illustrating the rapid spread of misinformation on X, particularly when promoted by such a high-profile figure.
This bomb threat hoax is just the latest in a series of controversial posts from Musk. Earlier in the week, he shared a now-deleted post suggesting that a second assassination attempt had been made on former President Donald Trump. In a follow-up tweet, Musk quipped, “no one is even trying to assassinate Biden/Kamala,” referring to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Although the tweet was removed after significant backlash, the post had already gained significant attention, with many accusing Musk of fueling dangerous and divisive rhetoric.
Musk’s involvement in spreading false claims did not stop there. He also shared a fabricated whistleblower affidavit that falsely alleged ABC News had rigged a debate in favor of Vice President Harris. Despite the document being swiftly debunked, Musk’s decision to promote such a baseless claim highlights his willingness to engage with conspiracy theories and questionable narratives, which can have significant consequences in an election season already marked by polarization and distrust.
Moreover, Musk has contributed to the spread of inflammatory and misleading narratives about immigrants. In one instance, he shared a video falsely accusing Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, of engaging in criminal behavior, including harming domestic animals. The video, which was edited out of context, misrepresented comments made during a city council meeting. City officials, including the mayor, denied any evidence supporting the claims, but by then, Musk’s post had already amassed nearly 8 million views, fueling anti-immigrant sentiment.
Perhaps most concerning, Musk shared a fake electoral college map purporting to show Trump’s projected victory in the 2024 presidential election. The map, which falsely claimed to be from statistician Nate Silver, showed Trump winning 312 electoral votes, despite Silver’s real analysis showing a much more competitive race. According to Silver, the election remains too close to call, with several key battleground states still up for grabs. Yet, Musk’s post pushed a narrative that Trump was on the verge of a landslide victory, contributing to an already toxic environment of disinformation.
Since acquiring Twitter in 2022 and rebranding it as X, Musk has dismantled many of the platform’s safeguards designed to prevent the spread of false information. By gutting the moderation team and eliminating the platform’s verification system, Musk has created an environment where misinformation thrives. Financial incentives introduced by Musk reward users who generate viral content, leading to a surge in sensationalist, often inaccurate posts. Additionally, Musk’s decision to reinstate previously banned conspiracy theorists and loosen content restrictions has allowed extremist voices to gain more prominence on the platform.
Musk’s influence on X cannot be overstated. With nearly 200 million followers, his posts are often boosted to the top of the platform’s feed, giving them unparalleled visibility. This influence, combined with X’s relaxed moderation policies, creates a powerful mechanism for the rapid spread of disinformation. Musk’s repeated attacks on mainstream media outlets and journalists further muddy the waters, making it increasingly difficult for users to discern fact from fiction in the lead-up to the election. As the 2024 presidential election approaches, the spread of disinformation on X and other social media platforms poses a significant challenge to the integrity of the democratic process. Musk’s role in promoting false narratives, particularly those related to the election and public safety, has sparked concerns about the potential impact on voter behavior and trust in democratic institutions. With the stakes higher than ever, the actions of powerful figures like Musk will continue to be scrutinized as the nation braces for a contentious and consequential election.
