Musk’s recent endorsement of antisemitic conspiracy theories can’t go unchallenged.
By: Conor J. Kelly
It should not be surprising to anyone who has read my work over the last several years that I don’t like Elon Musk. I have previously condemned his purchase of Twitter and his unwillingness to adequately regulate the platform, as well as his attempts to smear a former employee as a pedophile. However, I never expected to see him become so incredibly open with his prejudice and antisemitism. In recent months, however, it has become increasingly clear that he is not afraid to engage in outright conspiracy theories about Jewish people. We can’t ignore or allow that to go without consequences.
On November 15th, a poster going by the name “The Artist Formerly Known as Eric” responded to a post challenging antisemites to say that Hitler was right about Jewish people. His reply, which is still up, blamed Jewish people for a perceived influx of immigrants.
“Okay. Jewish communities have been pushing the exact kind of dialectical hatred against whites that they claim to want people to stop using against them. I’m deeply disinterested in giving the tiniest shit now about Western Jewish populations coming to the disturbing realization that those hordes of minorities that support flooding their country don’t exactly like them too much. You want truth said to your face, there it is.”
Antisemitic Twitter poster, November 15th, 2023.
Elon responded, saying, “You have said the actual truth,” before continuing that the ADL was targeting and undermining the well-being of white people across the nation. Elon’s post set off a firestorm, resulting in multiple companies suspending their advertising on the site.
The claim that Jewish people are creating an environment of anti-white hatred has previously been used in antisemitic attacks, such as the Tree of Life Synagogue shooting. It was the deadliest antisemitic attack in American history.
Despite this, Elon doubled down hours later, writing: “And, at the risk of being repetitive, I am deeply offended by ADL’s messaging and any other groups who push de facto anti-white racism or anti-Asian racism or racism of any kind. I’m sick of it. Stop now.”
While some have argued that Elon’s post was directed more at the ADL than Jewish people in general, I am not so certain. Elon explicitly responded to someone directly claiming that Jewish people at large were involved in attacking the West, a known antisemitic conspiracy theory that has led to the deadliest antisemitic attack in all of American history. Only after he agreed with someone explicitly suggesting that Hitler was right did he attempt to qualify his agreement.
If anything, Elon’s posts suggest that, at the very least, he was using the ADL as a symbol of Jewishness rather than being angry at the organization alone. Using the ADL as a stand-in for Jewish people and trying to backtrack doesn’t make him less antisemitic; it makes him a coward. Going to Israel to meet Netanyahu does not change what he said.
Elon’s actions merit condemnation and a full-fledged advertiser boycott. Elon has long played to the far-right, and it is increasingly clear that he is far too comfortable engaging in prejudiced conspiracy theories that are extremely dangerous. Advertisers must recognize that reality if antisemitism is to be countered. Since October 7th, there have been an estimated 800 antisemitic attacks. One poll found that 70 percent of Jewish Americans feel unsafe.
It is the responsibility of every American and every person to do what they can to push back against this prejudice, just as it is the responsibility of every person to push back against anti-Black or Islamophobic rhetoric. All prejudices must be opposed. Elon being the so-called free speech warrior on Twitter doesn’t absolve him of this obligation. If we as a society expect to stop antisemitism, we must hold Elon and all those who support his actions accountable. This is not merely an outrage mob against a social media influencer. It is a public necessity.
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