In a civil lawsuit, E. Jean Carroll accused Trump of sexually assaulting her in a department store in the mid-1990s. In 2023, a New York jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation, awarding Carroll $5 million. This case was conducted under New York’s Adult Survivors Act, which temporarily lifted the statute of limitations for civil claims of sexual assault.
The following clearly explains how Elon Musk used his social media company X (formerly known as Twitter), and his massive wealth, to help elect Trump to become President of the United States.
How Musk broke Twitter and helped elect Trump
— Led By Donkeys (@ByDonkeys) November 9, 2024
(Location: Tesla European HQ, Amsterdam) pic.twitter.com/eJG3Q8jCSW
One Can See Why Musk Supports Donald Trump
One of the earliest controversies surrounding Musk came in the form of his highly publicised feud with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). In 2018, Musk tweeted that he was “considering taking Tesla private at $420” and that he had “funding secured.” The tweet instantly sent Tesla’s stock price surging, but investors soon questioned whether he actually had the financial backing for such a monumental deal. The SEC swiftly launched an investigation, eventually concluding that Musk’s tweet was misleading and unsubstantiated. The commission argued that Musk’s statements violated securities laws, as they influenced the stock market without a legitimate basis. Musk’s response to the SEC’s charges only deepened the controversy. He agreed to a settlement that involved stepping down as Tesla’s chairman and paying a $20 million fine, but shortly after, he openly mocked the SEC in another tweet, calling them the “Shortseller Enrichment Commission.” This blatant defiance painted Musk as a rebellious figure unafraid of regulatory bodies, raising questions about his respect for financial oversight and his willingness to manipulate stock prices to his advantage. His actions during this period stirred intense debate about the boundaries of executive accountability and market integrity.
Another controversial episode came during the COVID-19 pandemic when Musk openly criticised lockdowns and public health restrictions, describing them as “fascist” and dismissing the severity of the virus. As the pandemic escalated, Musk’s Twitter feed became a hotbed of misinformation, with him predicting that the United States would see “close to zero new cases” by April 2020, a forecast that proved dramatically wrong. This dismissal of the pandemic’s seriousness not only conflicted with scientific evidence but also cast doubt on Musk’s commitment to public welfare, as he encouraged his employees to return to work despite the risks. In May 2020, Musk reopened Tesla’s factory in Fremont, California, in direct defiance of local regulations. His actions led to a tense standoff with local officials, culminating in Musk threatening to move Tesla’s headquarters out of California. The incident divided public opinion sharply; while some applauded him for standing against what they saw as excessive government intervention, others viewed his behaviour as reckless, particularly as he was seen to place corporate profits above employee safety. The pandemic response controversy added another layer to Musk’s reputation: a billionaire seemingly willing to gamble with public health in the pursuit of financial gains.
One of Musk’s most bizarre and criticised incidents occurred in 2018, during the international effort to rescue a group of Thai boys trapped in a cave. As teams of experts from around the world coordinated a risky rescue mission, Musk announced his intention to assist by building a “kid-sized submarine.” Though well-intentioned, the suggestion was dismissed by rescue officials as impractical, and Musk’s involvement was largely seen as a publicity stunt. However, the situation escalated when Vernon Unsworth, a British diver who was instrumental in the rescue, criticised Musk’s submarine as a “PR stunt” and suggested that Musk “stick his submarine where it hurts.” Musk responded by calling Unsworth a “pedo guy” on Twitter, a statement that sparked widespread condemnation. Unsworth later sued Musk for defamation, and though Musk ultimately won the case on the grounds of free speech, the incident damaged his public image. Many saw it as an example of Musk’s impulsiveness and lack of restraint, traits that have repeatedly led him into unnecessary conflicts. His willingness to insult a person involved in a life-saving operation struck many as a disturbing indication of his temperament.
Musk’s Twitter behaviour has often been erratic, with him using the platform to air grievances, announce bold plans, and engage in public feuds. This unpredictability reached new heights when he became embroiled in the world of cryptocurrency. In 2021, Musk tweeted enthusiastically about Dogecoin, a meme-based cryptocurrency, causing its value to skyrocket. His tweets fuelled significant volatility in cryptocurrency markets, with many investors riding the waves of Musk’s endorsements. However, his unpredictable actions in the crypto space soon took a controversial turn. After initially endorsing Bitcoin and announcing that Tesla would accept it as payment for vehicles, Musk abruptly reversed this decision, citing environmental concerns related to Bitcoin mining. This about-face led to a sharp drop in Bitcoin’s value, infuriating many investors who felt Musk’s statements were irresponsible and destabilising. His influence on cryptocurrency markets has been widely criticised, with some accusing him of manipulating prices for personal gain and questioning his motives. The incident raised important ethical questions about the extent of influence that a single individual should wield over volatile financial markets, especially when millions of investors could be impacted.
Musk’s handling of Tesla’s workplace culture has also sparked major controversy. Despite Tesla’s success as a leader in electric vehicles, the company has faced numerous lawsuits and allegations of harassment, discrimination, and unsafe working conditions. Reports have surfaced describing a toxic workplace environment, with accusations of racial discrimination, particularly at Tesla’s Fremont plant. Black employees have alleged that they faced racial slurs and harassment, with limited response from Tesla’s management. In one high-profile case, Tesla was ordered to pay $137 million in damages to a former employee who endured racial abuse at the company. Additionally, female employees have spoken out about pervasive sexual harassment, alleging that complaints were routinely ignored. Musk’s leadership style, which has been characterised by high demands and little tolerance for dissent, has been scrutinised for fostering this problematic culture. Critics argue that while Musk is a visionary leader, his relentless pursuit of success may have led him to overlook serious ethical issues within his own company. These allegations have undermined Tesla’s reputation as an innovator, suggesting that its success may have come at a high cost for some employees.
In recent years, Musk’s ambitions have increasingly extended into the realm of social media and public discourse. This evolution culminated in his 2022 acquisition of Twitter for $44 billion, a move that shocked both industry experts and the general public. Musk framed the purchase as an effort to champion free speech, positioning himself as a protector against what he described as the suppression of open discourse by tech giants. However, Musk’s handling of Twitter has been met with widespread criticism and has spurred considerable controversy. Upon taking over, Musk swiftly implemented sweeping changes, including mass layoffs that eliminated nearly half of Twitter’s workforce. Critics argued that these layoffs severely impacted the platform’s ability to moderate content effectively and address misinformation. Musk’s own tweets after the acquisition, which included conspiracy theories and unverified claims, further fuelled concern about his approach to content moderation. Additionally, his decision to reinstate previously banned accounts, including those linked to hate speech and misinformation, has led to backlash from both advertisers and users, with many accusing him of enabling harmful content. Musk’s actions have raised questions about his commitment to free speech, with some critics arguing that his version of “free speech” prioritises his personal views over the responsibility to prevent harm.
Beyond his businesses, Musk’s interactions with political figures and his role in geopolitical matters have added another dimension to his controversial public image. Musk has shown a willingness to engage with political issues, sometimes in ways that surprise or alarm observers. For instance, in 2022, Musk suggested that Ukraine should negotiate a peace deal with Russia, proposing a Twitter poll that implied Ukrainian concessions to end the conflict. His remarks attracted harsh criticism from both Ukrainian officials and the general public, many of whom felt that Musk was overstepping his bounds by commenting on complex geopolitical issues without fully understanding the stakes. Moreover, reports surfaced that Musk had spoken directly with Russian officials, raising concerns about his influence in international affairs. The incident led many to question whether Musk’s influence had grown dangerously disproportionate, as he appeared to wield significant power in a sensitive geopolitical arena.
