As the 2024 presidential election approaches, Elon Musk has been at the center of controversy due to his social media activity. Musk, known for his roles at Tesla and SpaceX, has used his platform to share false and misleading claims about the election, garnering over two billion views this year.
Having endorsed former President Donald Trump and donated generously to a pro-Trump super PAC, Musk has emerged as a prominent figure in US politics. His posts on social media, many in support of Trump and far-right narratives, have generated significant engagement, with more than 17.1 billion views since his endorsement in July.
The Center for Countering Digital Hate conducted research on Musk's posts and found that he frequently shared debunked claims about the 2024 election, including baseless assertions about undocumented immigrants influencing the election outcome. Musk has also propagated conspiracy theories about Democrats 'importing voters' through undocumented immigrants.
Imran Ahmed, founder of the Center for Countering Digital Hate, expressed concerns about Musk's dissemination of disinformation, labeling X as a 'perpetual disinformation machine.' Ahmed criticized Musk for using the platform to push false narratives about election rigging, stating that it undermines the platform's potential as a powerful tool.
Despite criticism from groups like CCDH, Musk has continued to post election-related content, with his posts estimated to be worth around $24 million in terms of reach and impact. Musk's attacks on CCDH, including calling the group a 'criminal organization,' have further fueled the debate around social media influence and disinformation.
As the 2024 election cycle unfolds, Musk's social media presence and the spread of misinformation remain topics of concern. With X under Musk's control, the platform's role in shaping public opinion and political discourse has come under scrutiny, highlighting the challenges of regulating disinformation in the digital age.
