In the latest controversy to rock the tech world, Elon Musk is facing a possible backlash from U.S. lawmakers following his endorsement of a contentious antisemitic post on his social media platform, X.
What Happened: According to a report by Bloomberg, Democratic senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) have reacted to Musk’s antisemitic post amid the Israel-Hamas conflict.
"I thought it was outrageous and dangerous. And we will be taking action with colleagues this week to write to him, to ask him to renounce those comments and to clean up his act,” Raskin said on CNN's “State of the Union” on Sunday.
"I encourage, in fact, I urge advertisers like IBM, which has done so, to withdraw from X and to send a message to Elon Musk that hate has no place on this powerful megaphone," Blumenthal remarked during NBC's “Meet the Press.”
Musk, however, has countered the antisemitism allegations, dismissing them as “bogus” and stating his desire for “only the best for humanity and a prosperous and exciting future for all.”
Why It Matters: This incident marks a significant escalation in the ongoing debate about the role and responsibility of social media platforms in monitoring and moderating their content. Musk’s endorsement of the controversial post has raised serious questions about the platform’s content moderation policies and the potential implications for its advertising partners.
The controversy has also sparked calls for Musk’s suspension as Tesla’s CEO from some shareholders. This demand for accountability comes in the backdrop of a Media Matters report that exposed the presence of pro-Nazi content alongside numerous company advertisements on X.
The withdrawal of advertising by major companies like Apple and Disney is a significant blow to the platform’s revenue and reputation. It also sets a precedent for other advertisers, who may be compelled to do the same in the face of public and legislative backlash.
Read Next: Bill Ackman Backs Elon Musk Over Controversial Support For Antisemitic Post
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