Elon Musk is once again in hot water after posting a comment on X (formerly Twitter) that the U.S. Secret Service is now investigating. Musk, in a response to a question about attempts on Donald Trump’s life, remarked, “And no one is even trying to assassinate Biden/Kamala ???” The post, intended as a joke according to Musk, was quickly deleted, but not before drawing the attention of the Secret Service.

As Bloomberg reported, the agency refused to release information about the investigation, citing ongoing “enforcement proceedings” after a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to learn more about the government’s response.

In a statement to Business Insider, the Secret Service confirmed that it was aware of Musk’s post, but would not provide further details. “We can say, however, that the Secret Service investigates all threats related to our protectees,” said spokesperson Melissa McKenzie.

The scrutiny surrounding Musk’s post comes as tensions rise over the safety of prominent political figures. Trump himself has been the target of two assassination attempts in recent months, including a near-miss in July during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The most recent incident occurred at a golf course in Florida, where a man with a gun, later identified as Ryan Routh, was arrested near Trump’s location. Routh now faces federal gun charges.

Musk has been vocal in his support of Trump, particularly after the July assassination attempt, but his comments about Biden and Harris crossed a line, sparking backlash and government investigation. The White House quickly condemned Musk’s post, stating, “Violence should only be condemned, never encouraged or joked about. This rhetoric is irresponsible.”

The broader context here is that while Musk’s post may have been poorly thought out, it isn’t the first time public figures have drawn government attention for statements about political leaders. The Secret Service, as Bloomberg pointed out, regularly investigates both direct and implied threats against those they protect.

Vice President Kamala Harris, while not having faced an assassination attempt like Trump, has been the subject of multiple threats since taking office in 2021. Recent cases include a Virginia man arrested for threatening Harris and other officials on the conservative social media platform Gettr, and an earlier arrest of a man found armed near Harris’s residence.

Musk’s involvement in political controversies isn’t new, but his joke about assassination, especially in today’s heated climate, is a dangerous misstep. Whether this results in more than just a visit from the Secret Service remains to be seen. Historically, high-profile figures like comedian Kathy Griffin, who once posted a photo of a mock severed Trump head, have faced Secret Service investigations without legal charges.

Musk has since tried to downplay the situation, admitting, “Just because I say something to a group and they laugh doesn’t mean it’s going to be all that hilarious as a post on X.”