Here again comes controversy over yet another post on X and death threats: thus time to none other than Elon Musk himself. According to the company, it was the original post, shared by someone named Bill Shea, indicating harm towards the billionaire businessman, that set alarm among Musk’s supporters, pushing for an online-wide campaign against it.
Controversy brewed when Bill Shea posted an ambiguous comment in a thread comparing Musk to George Soros. He stated, “Folks, please do not forget Musk is a CEO of several companies. I say again, he’s a CEO. Do with that information as you will.” This vague yet ominous comment has made many interpret it as a veiled threat, stirring up the discussions on free speech and whether it’s ethical to promote violence through online means.
Viral Post Sparks Outrage as Elon Musk Recieves Death Threats
As the tweet gained traction, public outrage grew. Many users accused Shea of intentionally encouraging harm toward Musk. The situation escalated when Shea’s account was deactivated shortly after the post went viral, but screenshots of the message continue to circulate across social media platforms. The phrase “Musk receives death threats” quickly became a trending topic, drawing attention from both his fans and critics.
This is happening amidst the alleged murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson by a graduate of the Ivy League, Luigi Mangione. The death of Brian Thompson has polarized opinions across the web regarding the said killing as some see this as a protest against certain systemic issues plaguing the healthcare industry.
CEOs in the Limelight
The timing of Musk’s situation has heightened concerns about the safety of high-profile CEOs in an increasingly divided society. Some commentators have pointed to a growing trend of hostility toward corporate leaders, underscoring the need for better protections against online and offline threats.
It did not end there as the journalist, Taylor Lorenz, poured more fuel into the fire by posting “CEO DOWN” on Bluesky in what seemed like a reference to Thompson’s death. While Lorenz said that she does not condone violence, the statement only made the row more intense.
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