Elon Musk Visits Auschwitz Amid X Antisemitism Controversy
Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk visited the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp in Poland on Monday, expressing profound emotions after touring the infamous Nazi extermination site. The billionaire acknowledged the powerful impact of witnessing the tragedy of the Holocaust firsthand, stating that it "hits you much more in the heart when you see it in person."
Musk, accompanied by his three-year-old son, participated in the tour before attending a conference on antisemitism organised by the European Jewish Association in Krakow, Poland. During the conference, Musk admitted to being "naive" about the extent of antisemitism until recently, attributing his limited exposure to the fact that most of his friends are Jewish.
In a discussion with Daily Wire podcaster Ben Shapiro, Musk defended his social media platform, X, as a space that fosters freedom of speech. He stressed the importance of a free exchange of ideas, asserting that allowing controversial discussions can contribute to countering hatred. Musk noted that shutting down freedom of press and information was a tactic employed by the Nazis, highlighting the platform's commitment to the "relentless pursuit of the truth."
Musk has faced accusations from the Anti-Defamation League and others of tolerating antisemitic messages on X since acquiring the platform in 2022. The controversy intensified in November when Musk responded to a user's antisemitic comment with a controversial statement, prompting criticism from various quarters, including the White House. Musk later apologised for what he called the "dumbest" post he had ever made.
Several major brands, including Disney and IBM, ceased advertising on the platform after allegations that their ads were appearing alongside pro-Nazi content and white nationalist posts. X has responded by suing Media Matters, a liberal advocacy group, alleging that they manufactured a report to drive advertisers away from the platform.
