After previously endorsing an antisemitic conspiracy theory, Elon told advertisers to “Go f**k” themselves and doubled down in a weak apology.
In yet another example of his recklessness, Elon Musk has once again doubled down on a poorly thought-out and prejudiced position that inevitably leads to a backlash. In an interview with The New York Times reporter Andrew Sorkin, Musk, among other things, lashed out at advertisers leaving his site and apologized for supporting a previously antisemitic post, only to double down on the themes of said post. The response to the interview with Musk, though focused on his vulgarity, indicates his complete disregard for holding himself accountable for his rhetoric.
As many of my readers will know, I have little sympathy for Elon’s supposed appeals to free speech, especially regarding his approach to regulating Twitter (I won’t call it X), resulting in left-wing journalists being banned. But even more so when it comes to his endorsing a conspiracy theory that has been used to justify violent murders. Namely, the idea that Jewish people were spreading anti-white hatred to destroy the West.
As I explained in my previous post:
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.
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.
Conor Kelly, Elon Musk’s Antisemitism Must be Confronted, November 27th 2023.
With that context in mind, it shouldn’t surprise anyone that I am deeply skeptical of Elon’s intentions going into the interview mentioned above. Such skepticism seems to have been warranted, as moments after apologizing for his response to said post, he suggested that there were still Jewish people who were funding “demonstrations for Hamas in every major city in the West.” He further explained that “If you generically, without condition, fund persecuted groups … some of those persecuted groups, unfortunately, want your annihilation.”
These comments are not, as some may believe, a genuine apology and withdrawal of antisemitic sentiment. It is a rephrasing of the same position in a nicer tone. By refusing to name which Jewish person or group of persons are engaging in this alleged activity, Elon has effectively tied Jewishness and Jewish people to a supposed attempt to harm white people. As Elad Nehorai explained:
Musk’s comments were essentially an attempt at a more “acceptable” version of saying that Jews are the funders behind the minority groups trying to destroy the Western world. This is, in fact, the Great Replacement conspiracy theory — the same one that he supposedly apologized for backing. Musk’s latest version is more qualified, and an attempt to be more specific, but it’s still a conspiracy theory based on the idea that Jews are manipulating world affairs in order to destroy white civilization.
Musk has basically said some version of this conspiracy theory for more than a year now. For example, in September, he said George Soros was funding an “invasion” of immigrants into European countries. “The Soros organization” he wrote, “appears to want nothing less than the destruction of western civilization.” In fact, it is easy to find tweet after tweet after tweet after tweet by Musk spreading versions of this conspiracy theory.
Elad Nehorai, Why Elon Musk’s ‘f— yourself’ Dealbook moment wasn’t the worst part of the interview, 2023.
Musk’s antisemitism is constant, unending, and remorseless. He can pretend that his objective is to bring free speech, but the reality is that he is trying to spread a racist and dangerous idea while also attempting to avoid the inevitable consequences that come with that idea. Nobody should be surprised that Elon is facing a boycott, and even fewer people should be surprised if he destroys the platform he claims to liberate. So long as his prejudiced rhetoric continues, the boycott will continue, and we will all pay the price for his arrogant prejudice.
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