Secret Service Responds to Elon Musk’s Deleted Joke on Assassination Attempts

The U.S. Secret Service has acknowledged a social media post made by Elon Musk, in which he commented that “no one is even trying” to assassinate President Joe Biden or Vice President Kamala Harris. The post, made on X (formerly Twitter), quickly garnered attention before Musk deleted it, later clarifying that it was intended as a joke.

Musk’s post came just hours after reports of a suspected assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump at his Florida golf course on Sunday. The timing of the post raised eyebrows, especially given the serious nature of threats against public officials and the increased scrutiny surrounding such incidents.

The Secret Service, responsible for the protection of the president, vice president, and other high-profile leaders, said it is “aware” of Musk’s comment, but did not elaborate further on any actions they might take. While Musk has often used humor and provocative statements on social media, this particular post touched on sensitive ground, given the recent incident involving Trump and the longstanding vigilance of the Secret Service in guarding national leaders.

Musk, who has a history of stirring debate on X, later addressed the situation, noting that his post was meant as a lighthearted joke and not a serious remark. However, the seriousness of assassination threats has made many question the appropriateness of such comments, even in jest. Public reactions have been mixed, with some expressing concern over Musk’s influence on social media, while others dismissed the post as harmless banter.

This incident highlights the intersection of free speech, public perception, and security concerns in the digital age, where even lighthearted jokes can quickly escalate due to the viral nature of social media. As Musk continues to be a dominant voice on X, his words carry weight, and the line between humor and controversy often becomes blurred.