Civil rights advocates and Democrats are expressing concern over Elon Musk’s recent statements on voting, reminiscent of former President Trump’s claims. The Biden campaign has criticized Musk’s posts as “profoundly irresponsible.” In contrast to Twitter’s previous corrective measures in 2020, Musk, now in control of the rebranded X platform, has dismantled the system for flagging false election content, arguing against what he perceives as election interference.

Musk’s assertions about the vulnerability of the American voting system to fraud and illegal voting have raised alarms among various quarters. Critics worry that Musk’s influence over the large social media platform could reignite doubts about the election system, echoing concerns prevalent leading up to the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot. The Biden campaign directly confronted Musk, stating, “It is profoundly irresponsible to spread false information and sow distrust about how our elections operate,” emphasizing the increased danger when coming from a social media platform owner.

While angering the Biden camp, Musk’s actions are drawing support from pro-Trump Republicans who view the old Twitter as part of a government-controlled censorship regime favoring Biden in 2020. Musk’s unique role in the 2024 election is unprecedented, as no major media owner has played such a personal and aggressive role in American politics.

Musk’s control over X, having taken it private in 2022, allows him to dismiss advertiser complaints and block content without shareholder concerns. The platform has implemented a more lenient approach to fact-checking, relying on crowdsourced “community notes” written by users. Notably, Musk’s posts have escaped fact-checking, even those making wild claims about election processes.

“We will continue to call out this recklessness as we carry out President Biden’s commitment to protecting our elections,” Ms. Chávez Rodríguez said. The Biden campaign’s decision to single out Musk underscores the distinctive position he holds in the 2024 election. Unlike media moguls like Rupert Murdoch or Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg, Musk has personally and aggressively inserted himself into the political discourse, utilizing the X platform to influence public opinion on a national scale. His actions, from urging followers to vote Republican to expressing disdain for President Biden, mark a departure from the more traditional, behind-the-scenes roles of media owners in shaping political narratives.

In conclusion, Musk’s control over X and his active role in shaping political discourse have triggered concerns about the platform’s impact on the integrity of elections, drawing both criticism and support from various political quarters.