Elon Musk’s Controversial Statements Draw White House Criticism Ahead of Auschwitz Trip

Next week, Elon Musk, recognized for his controversial social media presence in the internet and Tesla sectors, will participate in a panel discussion on online antisemitism in Poland.

Musk, who stirred controversy in November by endorsing a false Jewish conspiracy theory on his social media platform, X (formerly Twitter under Musk’s ownership since 2022), is expected to tour the Auschwitz Nazi concentration camp during his two-day visit.

Despite Musk’s ownership, X continues to grapple with the proliferation of anti-Jewish posts, including antisemitic content, prompting concerns about the platform’s content moderation policies. 

Users, particularly premium ones, have been reported boasting about earning money through X’s ad revenue sharing program, despite sharing bigoted content.

Recently, podcaster Jason Whitlock posted an interview with E. Michael Jones, described by the Anti-Defamation League as an antisemitic Catholic writer. 

In the interview, false claims were made, asserting that the Jews control the government and Black people. Although the post appeared to be taken down later on Friday, it raises questions about the effectiveness of X’s content moderation.

Musk’s Anti Semitism Controversy

Musk’s visit to Poland coincides with the week preceding International Holocaust Remembrance Day on January 27, which commemorates the victims of the Holocaust. The visit, organized by the European Jewish Association, aims to address the surge in antisemitism worldwide, intensified by Israel’s response to Hamas’ attack on Israel.

Polish deputy foreign minister Andrzej Szejna highlighted the importance of combating nationalism, populism, racism, and xenophobia as threats to democracy, human rights, and the European Union. Musk’s inclusion among the invited guests is seen in this context.

Reports indicate that Musk is set to visit Auschwitz, where a significant number of the 1.1 million people murdered by German occupiers were Jews. The Anti-Defamation League suggested that Musk could benefit from witnessing the atrocities at Auschwitz-Birkenau as a stark reminder of the consequences of antisemitism.

Musk faced accusations of antisemitism in November when he seemingly endorsed a post on X making a false claim about Jews promoting hatred for white people, saying, “You have told the actual truth.” Musk’s representatives have yet to confirm his visit to the Auschwitz death camp.