Elon Musk's X run amok with conspiracy theories after Trump shooting | Mashable.

Elon Musk endorses Trump as conspiracy theories of shooting run amok on X

"False flag" and "staged" trended on Musk's "global town square" in the hours after the shooting.
By Matthews Martins on 
Credit: Nathan Stirk/Getty Images

Social media platform X, formerly Twitter, is embroiled in trending conspiracy theories after former President Donald Trump was shot at during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennslyvania. After the shooting on Saturday, X CEO Elon Musk took to the platform to "fully endorse" the former President, having donated a "sizeable amount" to a Trump Super PAC to help with his re-election a day before the rally.

According to The Verge, in the wake of the shooting, the platform has promoted tags such as "false flag" and "staged" on its list of trending topics. Several posts on X have claimed that Trump faked the assassination attempt or that the shooter, a registered Republican, was a secret ANTIFA/CIA operative sent by President Joe Biden. There is evidence of neither. These posts have several thousand likes, like this one, claiming Trump's sniper team had already seen the shooter and purposefully let them get closer.

As The Verge notes, other major social media platforms responded more effectively in the immediate aftermath of the shooting. YouTube highlighted news clips and steered search results toward credible news reports and verified creators. Facebook predominantly showed results from news outlets, having eliminated its trending topics section in 2018. On Threads, conspiracy-related posts sometimes appeared at the top of its trending topics for the incident, however, these were not consistent.

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X did not return a request for comment, its email address automatically replied “Busy now, please check back later.” However, the official account for the platform did post, simply saying "global town square" — a reference to Musk's initial goal of free speech absolutism when buying Twitter in 2022.


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Given the current news about the Trump assassination attempt, the lack of moderation for rampant misinformation is unsurprising. Musk has, politically, moved further right since buying X, including the reinstating of right-wing accounts like Nick Fuentes and Andrew Tate.

Because of its moderation problems and the spread of conspiracy theories, several high-paying advertisers have left the site as well. However, since Musk has told fleeing advertisers to "go fuck yourself," it doesn't seem that X's misinformation problem is being solved anytime soon.

Topics  Social Media Twitter Donald Trump Elon Musk Politics

Comments

  1. My account was banned from Twitter in 2020, so I'm okay.

    ReplyDelete
  2. X will be banned if project 2025 gets implemented - the right thinks social media apps are EVIL

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  3. Only a complete m0r0n wouldn't see how fake that was. Lol

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. https://t.me/+PsWVCwX1JQwyN2Nk

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    2. It's USA's BLUE or DIE time in Nov.

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  4. Ironic that musk is normally an attractive scent, this Musk really does repel on every level.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I use musk spray on my toilet

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    2. I use musk spray after a good shit

      bad shit to hide a bad shit

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    3. Musk is used in perfume traditionally as a glandular substance from a musk deer. But is often used a smelly descriptor.

      Delete
  5. The guy who owns an EV company endorses the guy that wants to ban them

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I’m sure Tesla will be an exception

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    2. He doesn't care about Tesla. He uses it as a cash cow to fund his alt-right agenda on twitter

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    3. Tough to fund something if Trump bans your source of funds

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    4. Musk and Trump made a deal when Elon visited him at MaraLago

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    5. Didn’t he see all the chatting about “drill baby drill”?

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    6. When did Trump say he wanted to ban EVs? Are you referring to the proposed tariffs on Chinese imports?

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    7. i mean it makes sense. if the govt pulls funding and tax credits for ev stuff.... it hinders his competitors from being able to catch up to tesla. feels more like him trying to pull the ladder up after tesla got to the top to keep it as close to a monopoly as possible.

      Delete
  6. Was there any doubt? Racist, tax dodgers flock together like klansmen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tax evader, draft dodger* ftfy

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  7. Convenient he gets to wait until Trump is shot to endorse him. Lucky he didn't do it earlier.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I caught that too. Quite the opportunity to cash in on some plausible deniability. Maybe he isn't as dumb as he looks

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    2. I bet that was a gut reaction from him because someone suddenly got too much focus in the spotlight, and Musk can't live without having that for himself.

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    3. He had made a donation prior to the shooting. Not sure if it was confirmed but tons of rumors had happened this week.

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  8. This really comes as no surprise given the extreme right wing positions he's taken recently, but coming on the heels of the gunshots at the Trump rally today, this is a huge piece of red meat he is throwing out there.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Replies
    1. 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

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    2. Change your rag?

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    3. Wow. You sure told them! I bet they are so disturbed by your comment now.

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  10. Opportunistic sick fuck

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Don’t kick the man when he’s down.. I don’t like trump either but I’m send him thoughts and prayers

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    2. Not sure where you’re getting downvotes. You clearly stated that you don’t like Trump and made it clear that you don’t condone assassination attempts.

      Delete
    3. Me either. Snowflakes I guess

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  11. Because Putin says so

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Start crying until 2028 😉

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    2. Ukraines president says some interesting things these days. Lol

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  12. As if he didn't yesterday...

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  13. He also made a donation of 36 million dollars to Republican funds Friday.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Vile conartist to vile conartist

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  14. Replies
    1. Deport an American citizen for expressing his own opinions? You must understand or value what this country stands for.

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    2. Naturalized citizens can be deported for treason. Musk is a walking billboard for treason. Served my country. Did you?

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    3. Absolutely, but there is no treason here, despite what you say. And yes I did, 8 years in the Marine Corps infantry. What about you? What branch and MOS?

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    4. An act of mutiny, treason, sabotage or rendering assistance to an enemy of the United States or of its allies. — giving aide to Putin in over turning our democracy. Peace Corp Volunteer - farmer raising fish for starving country. Survived on incests, snakes and rodents.

      Delete
  15. Filthy hand musk.

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  16. Am I the only one who thinks this was staged? That fist-in-the-air picture—I just don’t buy it. Let’s not forget he fled to his bunker as soon as people started protesting outside the White House.

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    Replies
    1. The best marksman in the world couldn't guarantee that kind of shot.

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    2. Tell that to the civilians that died

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  17. No shit? The Nazi loving guy who bought Twitter to unban Trump is endorsing him? Shocking.

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  18. He stops the tax increase to the rich what a surprise richest person votes for him

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  19. The fact all these prominent right wing fucks didn't have anything better to do on a Saturday evening that they immediately knew what happened scream conspiracy.

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  20. Oh wow. What a surprise. Would never have guessed this since he's been living in a perpetual incel k hole.

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  21. He's not coming back to twitter bro lol

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  22. Small dick gang!

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  23. Elmo should go back to South Africa.

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  24. Plot twist : someone is trying to look innocent

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  25. Not surprised. Trump has already been flirting with giving him a position in his cabinet under immigration or trade

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  26. https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpreview.redd.it%2Ffull-mask-off-musk-endorses-trump-presidential-bid-v0-05egqqgulecd1.jpeg%3Fwidth%3D1085%26format%3Dpjpg%26auto%3Dwebp%26s%3Da3f781a9110fe0e07bffb6a68f8819447ec4efcd

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thats disingenuous and you absolutely know it. You've seen the full clip and know it was a fine overall statement.

      I live 30 minutes from there by the way

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    2. https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpreview.redd.it%2Ffull-mask-off-musk-endorses-trump-presidential-bid-v0-37jp29wc5icd1.jpeg%3Fwidth%3D1170%26format%3Dpjpg%26auto%3Dwebp%26s%3De8b6c45772a3c8097bf725d6f7e8e8979947fce7

      Delete
  27. Apartheid Boy wants Apartheid here. Fuck him and his shitty vehicles.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Don’t worry u can’t afford one 🤣

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  28. Ohhh a billionaire endorsing a GOP candidate… What a shocker…

    ReplyDelete
  29. Wow! I'm shocked!

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  30. Must be those massive subsidies Trunp gave him, and the tax bill he passed where ultra wealthy pay less.

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  31. It won’t surprise me if he was the mastermind behind it.

    ReplyDelete
  32. We’ve all known he’s a brilliant moron.

    ReplyDelete
  33. From one stable genius to another

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  34. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can't stand the guy, but they aren't standing together in this shot. It is possible she photo bombed. And that behaviour wouldn't be far from her reach as a black mail tool or an opener for someone outside her network at a party.

      That said, F him and F Trump

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  35. Wasn't that obvious before?

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  36. Both Musk and Trump can rot.

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  37. Musk is mentally defective...

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  38. Like recovery from what?

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  39. Well now I’m definitely NOT voting for him.

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  40. Fake blood. Fake dead. Pretty decent false flag attack though.

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  41. musk is a little bitch so of course he does

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    Replies
    1. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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    2. just because he’s shaped from an awkward refrigerator does not mean he is not a little bitch

      Delete
  42. I fully don't endorse ex President, Felon Trump nor do i give two shits what a terrible Businessman like Elon thinks.

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  43. Musk is such a handjob. I so wanted to see Zuckerberg kick his ass.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Wait a minute, I thought he was a centrist!?

    ReplyDelete
  45. Jfc. Duh. Did anyone think musk didn’t until he said so explicitly? It needed to be said?

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  46. Well shit, color me fucking shocked 🤪

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  47. The shooter is dead and two other “casualties” were rushed to the hospital, a law enforcement source told Fox News’ Jacqui Heinrich.

    ReplyDelete
  48. He’s banning electric vehicles so I’ll endorse him

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  49. Well, thankfully he's been pumping out winners lately.

    Oh wait

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  50. Lol he always has. The whole reason he bought Twitter was to keep Trump in power.

    ReplyDelete
  51. Scumbags stick together

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  52. Selling my Tesla stock ASAP!!!

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  53. One more reason not to buy a Tesla.

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  54. I've never paid a penny to either and never will.

    ReplyDelete
  55. ...so? We all know the rallies and debates don't change anything, every single one of you made up your minds on who you're voting for a full year before the campaign season even started. Who cares what some rich guy thinks?

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  56. Is it really mask off tho?

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  57. As if everyone didn't already know lol

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  58. How is someone whose political opinion different from you make them whatever this post is trying to say? Biden dissed Elon and invited GM and Ford and called them EV revolutionaries, he has a right to endorse someone else.

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  59. It’s a hair plug brotherhood thing, you wouldn’t get it. Also fuck Elon.

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  60. Honestly I thought he already did.

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  61. The endorsement absolutely no one saw coming

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  62. No a setup at all… Right?!.

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  63. Violence entered the building. Trump sent the invitation, are y’all surprised they came to the party.

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  64. Can't not make it about himself 🙄

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  65. Rich tax dodger endorses the party that will give him more tax cuts. Bigly shocking.

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  66. Not a conspiracy theorist but this thing feels.... nvm

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  67. Elon being at the level he is at, knowing himself that trump Is a pedophile and supporting him, Elon probably a pedophile too

    ReplyDelete
  68. And the crowd goes mild.

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  69. Posted at the same time as the shooting to hide it from the headlines. Utterly pathetic.

    ReplyDelete
  70. Replies
    1. The one only idiots thought he was wearing, of course.

      Delete
  71. Sissy SpaceX was always going to endorse Trump.

    ReplyDelete
  72. Didn’t he say he wouldn’t endorse any president in that interview with Don Lemon? I might be remembering it wrong though but I think they talked about that

    ReplyDelete
  73. "Birds of a feather flock together", sums it up nicely...

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  74. What a surprise to no one. Look at Twitter since he bought it. It’s nothing but right wing republican propaganda. It’s a dumpster fire.

    ReplyDelete
  75. uh, yeah we already knew

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  76. Elon is the equivalent to an anal wart

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  77. So Biden should stop subsidizing SpaceX, the Boring Company, and Tesla right now. Musk takes so much money from the government

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  78. Trump hates electric cars.

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  79. Breaking news rich guy supports guy who historically has cut taxes on the rich

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  80. Collectively fuck offfffffff musk

    ReplyDelete
  81. Rich wanker endorses fellow rich wanker.

    In other news, water is a liquid, the sun is bright and my ass is hairy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Don't they have pills for that?

      :D

      Delete
  82. Elon : "Oh No Trump has been shot. People are not talking about me"

    Elon: Makes this post.

    ReplyDelete
  83. There was never any doubt. And now with mush hiding out in Texas - he's got his own governor AND attorney general to do his bidding.

    Look out Texas - you're even more fucked than before.

    ReplyDelete
  84. Delete your twitter!

    ReplyDelete
  85. Yeah, the only people stupid enough to buy his cars are the people stupid enough to buy "Trump sneakers" and "Trump bucks" and "Trump plates" and stupid flags, shirts, and "Truth Social" stock.

    He needs these people to buy cyber trucks. Nobody else will.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lol the right wing is the ones that buy " stupid little flags " lol oh the irony coming from the group with 800 different flags to describe every possible sexual deviation I bet you rock the. mAP flag

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  86. Elon needs Trump and republicans to keep funding cheap money he can use to keep stealing your tax money.

    He knows that democrats will tax him more. Sad he is willing to sell out humanity, but it is not surprising to anyone who is paying attention.

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  87. THATS full mask off to you? have you seen the tweets he’s been promoting??

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  88. Stupid is as stupid does

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  89. This is giving large amounts of "why isn't the attention on me right now" energy.

    ReplyDelete

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