Fact Check: Musk claimed Trump is linked to Epstein in now-deleted posts
What We Know
Elon Musk recently made headlines for his controversial social media posts regarding former President Donald Trump. Musk claimed that the Department of Justice had not released files related to Jeffrey Epstein because Trump was implicated in them. He stated, "Time to drop the really big bomb: @realDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files," which he later deleted along with other inflammatory posts about Trump, including a call for Trump's impeachment (NPR, ABC News). In a follow-up, Musk expressed regret over his posts, indicating they "went too far" (PBS).
Analysis
Musk's allegations about Trump being linked to Epstein are significant and contentious. The claim that Trump is in the Epstein files is serious, especially given Epstein's history of sex trafficking and the implications of such an association. However, Musk provided no evidence to support his assertion, which raises questions about the credibility of the claim.
The deletion of Musk's posts shortly after they were made suggests a recognition of their potential impact and a desire to mitigate backlash. This aligns with Musk's later statement of regret, indicating a possible acknowledgment that the claims were unfounded or overly speculative (Time, Fox News).
The sources reporting on this incident, including NPR, ABC News, and PBS, are generally considered reliable and reputable. They provide context and detail about the interactions between Musk and Trump, as well as the broader implications of Musk's claims. However, the lack of direct evidence for Musk's assertions about Trump and Epstein diminishes the reliability of the claim itself.
Conclusion
The claim that "Musk claimed Trump is linked to Epstein in now-deleted posts" is True. Musk did make such claims on social media, which he later deleted and expressed regret over. While the assertion itself was serious, it lacked supporting evidence, leading to its deletion and Musk's subsequent retraction. The context of the posts and Musk's acknowledgment of going "too far" further substantiate the truth of the claim, even as the validity of the allegation itself remains unproven.
Sources
- Musk says he regrets some of his Trump social media posts - NPR
- Musk appears to delete X posts claiming Trump was in Epstein files - ABC News
- Musk's Allegation Against Trump Is Deleted From Social Media - Time
- Elon Musk backs off from feud with Trump, saying he regrets social media posts that went too far - PBS
- Musk deletes explosive posts about Trump and Epstein files - Fox News
