Elon Musk, during a town hall in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, remarked that he would be enhancing his security measures after being labeled "Public Enemy No. 2" by the German magazine Der Spiegel.
The first, according to the magazine, is former President Donald Trump. This shocking designation comes at a time when Musk has become increasingly vocal in political discourse, especially in support of Trump’s 2024 candidacy.
Musk expressed his bewilderment at the label during his speech, quipping, “I’m like, enemy number 2 of what? Uh, democracy?” He emphasized that his focus was on defending democratic principles, particularly the U.S. Constitution, as the nation approached another contentious election. His comments were met with applause from the Pittsburgh audience, who seemed to resonate with his message of upholding free and fair elections.
Taking the gravity of the situation further, Musk remarked about upgrading his security, alluding to a famous and tragic historical event by jokingly adding, “Guess I better cancel that open-car parade.” His reference to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy underscores the heightened tension Musk feels in today’s political climate, particularly after being labeled a direct threat by a major international publication.
Musk voiced his growing discomfort with what he described as intense hostility from the political left. “I’m a little shook by the level of vitriolic hatred on the left,” he noted, going on to criticize the perceived hypocrisy in their calls for tolerance.
He contrasted this with his view of conservatives, stating, “On the right, I see people who tend to regard people on the left as, well, misguided. But they don’t hate them... the amount of hate coming from the left is like, wow, next level.”
This episode comes in the wake of Musk's full endorsement of Trump earlier in the summer, a significant political move as both men face increasingly polarized public opinions. Musk has since actively supported Trump’s campaign, focusing particularly on the battleground state of Pennsylvania. His involvement has included rallying voters and speaking at events in an effort to boost Trump's candidacy.
The tension around Musk’s involvement has parallels with Trump’s own experiences. The former president has reportedly survived two assassination attempts—one at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, and another during a golf outing in Florida. Musk, having aligned himself with Trump and his political base, now finds himself under similar scrutiny, both politically and personally.
As the stakes rise ahead of the November election, Musk’s decision to increase his security signals a deepening concern for his safety amid a highly charged political atmosphere.