Musk’s Outburst is Cause for Concern

Amidst a recent debate on immigration visas, Elon Musk showed cracks in his temperament as he succumbed to a tantrum in the face of criticism and pushback from predominately right-wing voices, including people within the MAGA camp. Heated or passionate online debates are a weekly or even daily occurrence on social media, particularly on X (formally Twitter), and Musk is not new to expressing poorly received opinions. One such example is his position of needing a special permit to purchase rifles which was rightfully received negatively.

While Elon has received criticism relatively well in the past, the immigration issue made him more aggressive, defensive, and hostile in response to the slightest pushback. Paying homage to Hillary Clinton’s “basket of deplorables” remark, Elon Musk branded his right-wing critics as “contemptible fools” and went so far as to childishly advise them to “fuck [themselves] in the face.” He didn’t stop there, however, and further called those who are against various aspects of America’s immigration policies as “subtards” and said that tolerance for them is limited.

In line with his distasteful hostility, Elon agreed with the sentiment that many right-wingers, who are upset at foreign workers receiving preferential treatment, are simply “retarded,” ultimately dismissing their grievances in poor taste. Musk also declared that he would go to “war on this issue the likes of which you cannot possibly comprehend,” but then shortly after announced he had muted keywords related to the immigration debate, evidently deciding to ignore the issue. While some see this as a passionate and short-lived outburst, it should more appropriately be labeled as not only a tantrum but a window into Musk’s true volatile character when faced with criticism on an issue regarding which, people are not allowed to disagree.

Elon Musk’s behaviour highlights the often toxic and counterproductive climate of social media discourse, but this also wouldn’t be news if Musk was an ordinary man. And that’s just it: he isn’t ordinary and that’s why his recent conduct is cause for concern. Musk is set to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an advisory board that will mobilize when Donald J. Trump is inaugurated. He’s also the owner of what is purported to be the “public square,” the social media platform where many people believe politics and culture are shifted and molded.

Having the owner of the public square succumb to a temper tantrum, during a popular albeit heated debate topic, and manically proclaim that he’d go to war on the issue not only sows fear of online suppression but lays credence to the soft censorship that already exists on the platform. It’s not uncommon knowledge that various controversial topics are suffocated by the algorithm and accounts that express unfavorable or “wrong” opinions are similarly “deboosted” or hidden. It may not be as bad as it was before Elon purchased X, but it still exists. Elon’s outburst, coupled with his recent decision to punish “negativity” on his social media platform has only solidified people’s concerns that being on the “wrong” or “negative” end of issues, like immigration, will be both decided by Musk and suppressed.

Despite his follower count and societal status, Elon Musk is still human and is therefore prone to being defensive and emotional in the face of criticism. As mentioned before, this wouldn’t be an issue if it wasn’t for his upcoming tenure leading DOGE. The way he has conducted himself whilst arguing about immigration visas may be a troubling preview for how the advisory board will operate with him on the throne. This is especially the case when it comes to the various issues that will be addressed, both old and new, and how receptive he’ll be to feedback or even outright disagreement.

Elon Musk is en route to essentially fulfilling the role of a politician, and it’s worrying when a man like that is dismissing dissenting views and resorting to demonizing rhetoric in the same way that woke leftists have treated right-wingers for decades. His meltdown has ultimately been an eye-opener for many people who are now skeptical of Elon and whether he’ll turn out any different to the rest of the political and elite cadre which have, time and again, proven to dismiss the opinions of the common folk.