Fact Check: Elon Musk stated on October 15, 2023, that 'The far left is murderously violent' in response to the Minnesota shootings, which he shared on X.

Fact Check: Elon Musk's Statement on the Far Left

What We Know

On October 15, 2023, Elon Musk made a statement on his social media platform, X, declaring that "The far left is murderously violent" in response to a series of violent incidents involving Minnesota lawmakers. This claim was made in the context of the assassination of a Democratic state lawmaker and her husband, as well as the shooting of another lawmaker and his spouse at their homes (source-1, source-2). Musk's statement has been echoed by various right-wing commentators, who have linked the violence to leftist ideologies (source-4).

Analysis

Musk's assertion that "the far left is murderously violent" is a sweeping generalization that lacks nuanced context. While it is true that political violence has been a significant issue in the U.S., with incidents attributed to various ideologies, the claim oversimplifies a complex situation. The recent violence in Minnesota, which Musk referenced, involved a suspect who had a list of targets that included Democratic officials and abortion rights advocates, leading some to label him as politically motivated (source-1).

Critically, the framing of the statement can be seen as an attempt to politicize the violence for ideological purposes. Experts note that political violence in the U.S. has been perpetrated by individuals across the political spectrum, and attributing such acts solely to one side can obscure the broader issues at play (source-3). Furthermore, the reliability of sources promoting Musk's statement varies; while some are credible news outlets, others may have a clear ideological bias that could influence their reporting (source-6).

Conclusion

The claim that Elon Musk stated "The far left is murderously violent" on October 15, 2023, is True. He did make this statement in the context of violent incidents involving Minnesota lawmakers. However, the broader implications of his claim warrant scrutiny, as it simplifies a multifaceted issue of political violence in the U.S. and may contribute to further polarization.

Sources

1. A Democratic legislator was assassinated; right-wing influencers coughed out disinformation
2. Political violence is threaded through recent US history. The motives and justifications vary
3. Political violence is threaded through recent US history. The motives and justifications vary
4. How the 'politically motivated' shooting of Minnesota lawmakers unfolded
5. WaPo deletes post about confusion on 'where Jews belong'
6. Surge in U.S. Political Violence Signals Dark Shift
7. Tens of thousands protest in Netherlands over Israel's actions
8. Polls: JWS Research post-election and Lowy Institute on foreign affairs