Elon Musk's X Posts: From Tech Tycoon to Political Pundit

Analysis reveals Elon Musk's X feed has shifted from business-focused to politically charged. This transformation raises concerns about X's role in the upcoming 2024 U.S. election.

August 11 2024, 08:05 PM  •  7952 views

Elon Musk's X Posts: From Tech Tycoon to Political Pundit

Elon Musk's social media presence has undergone a significant transformation over the past three years. Once primarily focused on his business ventures, the billionaire's X (formerly Twitter) feed now resembles that of a right-wing activist, with frequent posts on controversial political topics.

An analysis of Musk's posts reveals a stark shift in content. In November 2021, approximately one-third of his tweets mentioned Tesla and SpaceX. However, by August 2024, the proportion of posts about these companies has decreased by more than half. Conversely, political content has surged from 2% to 17% of his feed.

This change coincides with Musk's acquisition of Twitter in October 2022, which he renamed X. The platform, boasting 35 million monthly active users in swing states, could potentially influence the outcome of the upcoming 2024 U.S. election.

Musk's political posts often focus on:
1. Criticism of undocumented migration
2. Opposition to "woke" ideology
3. Transgender rights issues
4. The 2024 election
5. Recent riots in Britain

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The billionaire's evolving public persona has raised questions about his intentions for X. While he claimed to have purchased the platform to promote free speech, some critics argue it has become a personal megaphone for his provocative political views.

"I would prefer to have zero involvement in politics. HOWEVER, There is no 'company success' unless civilization itself continues to progress."

Elon Musk on his political involvement

Musk's political stance has alienated some supporters and even family members. His daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, a transgender woman, has become an outspoken critic following his anti-trans comments.

The shift in Musk's posting habits is significant:
- Political posts increased from 2% to 17%
- Tesla and SpaceX mentions decreased from 30% to 13%
- Overall posting frequency increased fivefold

These changes have sparked concerns about X's reliability as an information source for the 2024 election. Recent incidents, such as the temporary suspension of pro-Kamala Harris accounts, have fueled suspicions of potential bias on the platform.

As the most followed user on X with over 193 million followers, Musk's influence is substantial. His endorsement of former president Donald Trump and frequent political commentary have raised eyebrows among democracy advocates.

Despite criticism, Musk maintains that his political involvement stems from a sense of obligation to protect civilization's progress. However, his actions continue to spark debate about the role of social media platform owners in shaping public discourse and influencing elections.