Billionaire Elon Musk is raising concerns over what he perceives as an escalating threat to his life, accusing mainstream media of inciting violence against him and former President Donald Trump. Over the weekend, Musk drew attention to a recent cover story by the German news outlet Der Spiegel, which labeled him “Public Enemy No. 2,” second only to Trump. Musk responded by accusing the media of “actively encouraging” their assassination.
During a town hall event in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Musk, who has been a vocal supporter of Trump, spoke about the growing political tension in the country as the 2024 election nears. Musk referenced the Der Spiegel article, telling the audience that the media’s portrayal of him as a dangerous figure was contributing to the likelihood of violence. “With their relentless hit pieces, legacy mainstream media are actively encouraging the assassination of @realDonaldTrump and now me,” Musk posted on X.
Musk, who has backed Trump for months and pledged significant financial support to pro-Trump efforts, announced he was increasing his personal security. “I’m definitely upgrading my security. Guess I better cancel that open-car parade,” he quipped, referencing the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
Musk also expressed concern over the increasing vitriol from left-wing media, telling the crowd he was “a little shook” by the level of hatred being directed at him. He emphasized that while he does not seek to escalate tensions, he feels compelled to continue supporting what he believes to be crucial causes for the future of the country.
