Elon Musk is accused of inciting Irish violence online. Here’s what he posted
United Kingdom politicians are accusing Elon Musk of inciting violence in Northern Ireland, as protests continue over a knife attack that happened Monday night.
Conservative UK lawmakers have called the attack an attempted beheading.
Video of the attack circulated online, sparking a series of incidents involving masked men burning cars, smashing windows and setting fires across Belfast.
Throughout it all, Musk was on X sharing a series of posts and reposting others — posts that British and Irish officials now say were encouraging the violence.
What is Musk posting?
Tuesday morning, following the knife attack, Musk reshared posts talking about the suspect in the attack, a Sudanese asylum seeker.
One post read, “We must stop harbouring those who wish to decapitate children. A vast number of people need to be removed from our country – when I say vast, I mean it. Millions and millions need to leave or be made to leave.”
Another discusses “dangerous third world savages,” saying “a great number of people will go to prison for what has been inflicted on our communities.”
Musk reshared that post, saying, “This is the way.”
As the controversy continued, X users began sharing protesting locations, which Musk has shared.
“Only by protesting REPEATEDLY and LOUDLY will there be any change!!” Musk wrote in one post.
Tensions continued to rise, leading to speculation that social media was fueling the protests in Europe.
With that, Musk reshared a post that read, “It’s not social media that’s ‘inflaming tensions.’ It’s not Elon Musk. It’s not Nigel Farage. It’s not the ‘far-right.’ It is the very deliberate policy of mass uncontrolled immigration & open borders. This policy has to end or it will destroy Western nations.”
He shared the post, writing “exactly.”
Another post that’s drawn attention was one reading “Nothing else matters if civilization fails.”
The posts continue
After the unrest broke out on Tuesday, Musk continued sharing posts on X Wednesday, including one referring to immigrants as “invaders.
Another included a quote from Rupert Lowe, a member of British Parliament described as “libertarian conservative,” who said, “We must ban foreigners from claiming benefits and immediately deport migrants who cannot financially support themselves.”
And a third, which he reposted Wednesday, alludes to solving problems with violence.
What officials are saying
The series of posts has caught the attention of government officials in Europe. Labour Party Chair Anna Turley spoke on a British radio station Thursday, saying Musk’s actions are “appalling.”
“Anyone that is seeking to drive and exploit a situation like this to drive their own political agenda is grievously wrong and doing damage,” Turley said. “We’ve seen children, families having to flee their homes on the streets of Belfast last night.”
Musk responded to the accusations that he’s spurring on the anger, saying in a post on X, “Murderous migrants beheading innocent people in their home town is what’s making people angry, not ‘social media’!”
Michelle O’Neill, the First Minister of Northern Ireland, also condemned “the Elon Musks of this world,” saying they “are sitting right comfy in their homes, orchestrating hate and tension.”
Other officials called out those making posts online about the protests, saying they’re “trying to interfere in our democracy and seeking to stir up division on our streets.” However, he didn’t name Musk specifically.
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Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
