Elon Musk's Influence on the Political Landscape: A Force for Division and Controversy

[Social Media]

 

Elon Musk, the man at the helm of one of the most powerful social media platforms, has shown little hesitation in using his influence to disseminate his personal views. His recent actions have only reinforced this notion. In the past week, a series of far-right riots erupted in the UK, with much of the unrest being incited on Musk's platform, X. Instead of taking a measured approach, Musk responded by proclaiming that "civil war is inevitable," labeling prosecutors as the "woke Stasi," and even spreading misinformation.

 

Despite the intensity and frequency of Musk's politically charged statements, he has largely evaded governmental regulation in the UK and other regions where X operates. His ability to shape a volatile political era through his platform raises critical questions about whether anything can be done to curb his influence. The Guardian's global technology editor, Dan Milmo, has delved into this issue, exploring how Musk's platform is fueling a dangerous political moment.

 

In the UK, the repercussions of Musk's actions have been deeply felt. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, criticized the use of Christian imagery during the summer's riots, calling it an "offense to our faith." Welby condemned the violent unrest, describing it as "racist," "anti-Muslim," "anti-refugee," and "anti-asylum seeker." This sentiment was echoed by many, as the riots highlighted the growing polarization in the country, exacerbated by the influence of far-right elements on social media platforms like X.

 

In another tragic event, the Southport knife attack claimed the life of Alice da Silva Aguiar. At her funeral, hundreds of mourners joined her parents in mourning their loss. Serena Kennedy, Chief Constable of Merseyside Police, conveyed the family's plea for peace, stating that they "do not want any more violence on the streets of the United Kingdom" in their daughter's name. The attack and subsequent riots underscored the urgent need for greater regulation of social media platforms that have become breeding grounds for extremist rhetoric.

 

As the world watched the closing ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, which featured a stunt by Tom Cruise abseiling into the Stade de France, the event was overshadowed by the broader implications of Musk's influence. The games, a symbol of unity and global cooperation, stood in stark contrast to the divisive rhetoric being amplified on X.

 

Musk's impact is not limited to the UK. In Ukraine, thousands of troops have been mobilized as the conflict with Russia escalates. The situation is dire, with reports of fighting within 15 to 18 miles of the border. While Musk cannot be held directly responsible for the conflict, his platform has played a role in shaping public opinion and influencing political discourse, particularly in the US.

 

Donald Trump, for instance, has praised Musk, calling him "as smart as you get." This marks a significant shift from 2022 when Musk suggested that Trump should "sail into the sunset" and supported Ron DeSantis for the Republican nomination. Trump's change of heart highlights the growing alliance between Musk and the far-right, as Musk's platform becomes a powerful tool for amplifying their message.

 

While Musk has denied reports that he will donate $45 million a month to a Trump-supporting Super PAC, he has acknowledged launching a political organization in support of Trump. This, coupled with his decision to reinstate Trump on X in 2022, underscores Musk's growing influence in the political sphere. He has also been instrumental in persuading Trump to consider JD Vance, a favorite of right-wing tech entrepreneurs, as his running mate.

 

Musk's assertion that X must be "politically neutral" to deserve public trust has been met with skepticism. Many believe that he has weaponized the platform, both through his own presence and by implementing changes that benefit far-right accounts. These changes include firing half of X's election integrity team, disbanding its trust and safety council, and altering the "blue tick" system to allow anyone to pay for promotion – a feature predominantly used by right-leaning individuals.

 

The lack of transparency surrounding X's algorithm has fueled speculation that it may have been adjusted to promote right-leaning voices. This suspicion is reinforced by the Center for Countering Digital Hate's analysis, which found that false or misleading claims posted by Musk about the US election have been viewed nearly 1.2 billion times. These claims also appear to be excluded from X's "community notes" fact-checking system.

 

The controversy surrounding Musk's actions highlights the unique role that X plays in the media landscape. While it may not be a mass media market, it is a platform where influential people gather to discuss breaking news, triggering debates that resonate beyond the confines of social media.

 

In the UK, Musk's absolutist approach to free speech has had significant consequences. He reinstated figures like Tommy Robinson and Andrew Tate, both of whom were previously banned. Their return to the platform has had a noticeable impact, particularly in the aftermath of the Southport attack. Musk's provocative statements, including his war of words with Keir Starmer and his promotion of dubious accounts, have raised concerns about the role X plays in inciting violence.

 

Musk has also ignored requests from the UK government's disinformation unit to remove posts that they believe are inciting violence. One such post, shared by the co-leader of the far-right Britain First party, falsely claimed that Keir Starmer was considering building "detainment camps" on the Falkland Islands. The post was viewed nearly 2 million times before it was removed, but not before it had already contributed to the spread of misinformation.

 

Musk's confrontational approach is not limited to the UK. In Australia, he successfully challenged a ruling that barred a video of a bishop being stabbed in a Sydney church from being viewed not just in Australia, but globally. Other major social media firms complied with the ruling, but Musk's refusal led to death threats against Australia's eSafety commissioner. Meanwhile, Musk is engaged in a battle with the European Union, which has filed charges against X under the Digital Services Act for allowing disinformation and illegal hate speech on the platform.

 

At the same time, Musk has formed friendly relationships with populist right-wing leaders, including Italy's Giorgia Meloni, Argentina's Javier Milei, and former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. These relationships suggest that Musk is more inclined to support politicians who align with his worldview, further amplifying their influence through his platform.

 

The question remains: Can anything be done to curb Musk's behavior? The European Union's case against X could result in significant fines and enforce changes if the platform wishes to maintain access to users in Europe. In the UK, there are doubts about whether the new Online Safety Act will be sufficient to compel Musk to make necessary changes. British MPs have expressed a desire to summon Musk to appear before the Science, Innovation, and Technology Committee to answer questions about X's role in inciting the recent far-right riots and his own comments. However, it is unlikely that Musk will attend such a session.

 

The Online Safety Act primarily consolidates existing tools for dealing with criminal charges related to incitement of violence on social media. However, its effectiveness in enforcing fines on companies like X is less certain. The bill instructs social media firms to enforce their terms and conditions properly, but it will take time before its impact is fully realized.

 

Even if hefty fines are imposed, Musk's immense wealth suggests that he can absorb the losses for an extended period. Given his views on the political and social impact of his platform, it is possible that he may accept these costs as a necessary consequence of his actions. As Musk continues to wield his influence, the challenge for governments and regulators will be finding effective ways to hold him accountable while preserving the principles of free speech and open discourse.

 

Credit: The Guardian  2024-08-14

 

 

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[Cryingdick]

Twitter n resisted him buying it until they thought he would be screwed if he did and then they threatened to enforce the sale. It's Elons toy he can do what he wants. 

[JustMyOpinion]

The liberal left used twitter to influence past elections with their censorship of conservative points of view... now the shoe is on the other foot and they are crying foul... got to love it.

[thaibeachlovers]

2 hours ago, Social Media said:

In the past week, a series of far-right riots erupted in the UK, with much of the unrest being incited on Musk's platform, X.

 

Are we to take seriously the premise that the "rioters" take their orders from a stupid social media site?

I've been concerned about the IMO insanity around social media re "influencers" and other inanities, but if it comes to people actually needing X for a reason to go out and riot I fear the end for western civilisation can not be far off.

[Smokey and the Bandit]

Elon Musk has the courage and yes also the money to say what he feels like, unlike some others who are too timid.

At least Musk being in the USA will not have to fear the Met commissioner, Rowley, authoritarian intimation!

[roquefort]

"Musk is more inclined to support politicians who align with his worldview, further amplifying their influence through his platform."

 

Just like The Guardian then. But under their double standards only they have the right to decide what's acceptable as free speech.

[mushroomdave]

You can have the weirdo (to match Vance & Bronzer Man).......

 

We'll keep Beyonce, Megan Thee Stallion and the Swifites.......

 

🎤 🤣 🎤 🤣  🎤 🤣 🎤 🤣 🎤 🤣 🎤 🤣 🎤 🤣 🎤 🤣

 

" LOCK HIM UP, LOCK HIM UP, LOCK HIM UP !! "

 

 

[KhunLA]

Freedom of the Press / internet is the enemy of the Deep State.

 

Don't be surprised if Musk has an oops or X is shut down.  They must need him a lot, or he'd be dead already.

[Chomper Higgot]

12 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

 

Are we to take seriously the premise that the "rioters" take their orders from a stupid social media site?

I've been concerned about the IMO insanity around social media re "influencers" and other inanities, but if it comes to people actually needing X for a reason to go out and riot I fear the end for western civilisation can not be far off.

Well we know they went and attacked a completely innocent community in multiple towns and cities up and found the country.

 

So we know two things:

 

They are easily mislead and they were being directed in coordinated thuggery.

 

We also have reliable evidence of Musk posting stuff on Twitter and what he posts showing up in comments from his fan boys here on the forum, who incidentally swallowed and repeated the same sad the rioters.

 

 

[Cameroni]

The Guardian, champion of free speech, lamenting that no regulatory or  penalty persecution of Musk can get him to be quiet. You gotta laugh at the hipocrisy.

[Bandersnatch]

1 hour ago, Cameroni said:

The Guardian, champion of free speech, lamenting that no regulatory or  penalty persecution of Musk can get him to be quiet. You gotta laugh at the hipocrisy.

If you actually were a Guardian reader you would know the difference between free speech and disinformation 

 

Musk posting to his 194m followers about “detainment camps” being established in the Falkland Islands for rioters isn’t freedom of speech it’s disinformation.

 

quietly deleting the tweet later after it’s already been seen by millions doesn’t undo the damage 

 

[Cameroni]

2 minutes ago, Bandersnatch said:

Musk posting to his 194m followers about “detainment camps” being established in the Falkland Islands for rioters isn’t freedom of speech it’s disinformation.

 

If you seriously believe that Musk thought we're all going to be deported to the Falklands, then you probably believe Father Christmas lives in Greenland.

 

Some people can get humor. Other's can't. That was not "disinfomation". That was a joke.

[Bandersnatch]

11 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

That was not "disinfomation". That was a joke.

Nobody else seems to think that it was a joke only you.

 

Claiming it was a joke is disinformation.

 

[Cameroni]

You gotta laugh.

[thaipo7]

14 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

 

Are we to take seriously the premise that the "rioters" take their orders from a stupid social media site?

I've been concerned about the IMO insanity around social media re "influencers" and other inanities, but if it comes to people actually needing X for a reason to go out and riot I fear the end for western civilisation can not be far off.

The same media does not report the crimes committed by the Muslims.  They have their agenda and that is it.   Look at the US media.  Get their marching orders from the Democrat Marxist Party and dutifully comply. 

[mushroomdave]

It's just one more oddball joining the weirdo camp.....

 

Let him, Vance and the the Big Mac Guy at "Mar-A-Lardo" keep spreading their racist views, childish name-calling, hate of women, and their grumpiness. 

 

Kind of feel sorry for the lot of them............NOT!!!!

 

 

[Luuk Chaai]

23 hours ago, JustMyOpinion said:

The liberal left used twitter to influence past elections with their censorship of conservative points of view... now the shoe is on the other foot and they are crying foul... got to love it.

[JustMyOpinion]

9 hours ago, Bandersnatch said:

 

 

Musk posting to his 194m followers about “detainment camps” being established in the Falkland Islands for rioters isn’t freedom of speech it’s disinformation.

 

 

 

 

It is only disinformation to the humorless left wingers... the rest of the world sees the satire and laughs

[thaibeachlovers]

10 hours ago, Cameroni said:

 

If you seriously believe that Musk thought we're all going to be deported to the Falklands, then you probably believe Father Christmas lives in Greenland.

 

Some people can get humor. Other's can't. That was not "disinfomation". That was a joke.

Seems to me that a certain societal demographic has zero sense of humour. Poor sad creatures that they are to not know the pleasures of laughter.

[thaibeachlovers]

10 hours ago, Bandersnatch said:

Nobody else seems to think that it was a joke only you.

 

Claiming it was a joke is disinformation.

 

Let me get this straight- you actually think that someone that made a few billion $ is so demented that they believe that Starmer is going to set up concentration camps in the Falklands?

Oh dear.

[Bandersnatch]

1 hour ago, JustMyOpinion said:

the rest of the world sees the satire and laughs

 

I have already shown that to be false. You offer nothing but justyournopinion

[novacova]

On 8/14/2024 at 3:36 AM, Social Media said:

Elon Musk, the man at the helm of one of the most powerful social media platforms, has shown little hesitation in using his influence to disseminate his personal views. His recent actions have only reinforced this notion. In the past week, a series of far-right riots erupted in the UK, with much of the unrest being incited on Musk's platform, X.

Yeah so what! X is a social forum where individuals can speak their minds.

On 8/14/2024 at 3:36 AM, Social Media said:

Instead of taking a measured approach, Musk responded by proclaiming that "civil war is inevitable," labeling prosecutors as the "woke Stasi," and even spreading misinformation.

Misinformation by who’s/what standards? MSM? Ha!-what a joke! MSM and their political cohorts flood the airways with misinformation and demonizes those that have the voice that call them out on it.

On 8/14/2024 at 3:36 AM, Social Media said:

Meanwhile, Musk is engaged in a battle with the European Union, which has filed charges against X under the Digital Services Act for allowing disinformation and illegal hate speech on the platform.

The EU’s idea of disinformation and hate speech is speaking out against the EU’s hate for its own populace and their freedom of speech. 

 

On 8/14/2024 at 3:36 AM, Social Media said:

As Musk continues to wield his influence, the challenge for governments and regulators will be finding effective ways to hold him accountable while preserving the principles of free speech and open discourse.

This is statement is the epitome of oxymoronic 

[Cameroni]

3 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Seems to me that a certain societal demographic has zero sense of humour. Poor sad creatures that they are to not know the pleasures of laughter.

 

It's not just that, but they seem to want to use these terrible crimes set in social media posts, to viciously attack a person because politically they don't agree with them. It's pretty sad.