Article Summary
Elon Musk, who has purchased Twitter and rebranded it as X, has made several false claims about the American voting system. Unlike during Donald Trump’s presidency, when Twitter would fact-check false information about elections, no such fact-checking is present on the platform under Musk’s ownership. This new approach has raised concerns among civil rights lawyers, election administrators, and Democrats, who worry that Musk’s claims can cause widespread doubt about the election system. Some Democrats have criticized Musk’s actions as irresponsible, while pro-Trump Republicans and other individuals have praised the changes.
In 2020, Twitter Corrected Trump’s Election Claims; Musk’s X Leaves Them Unchecked
In Spring 2020, as President Donald Trump used Twitter to suggest increased mail-in ballots would result in a “rigged election,” Twitter countered him by debunking his claims. “Facts about mail-in voting: Experts affirm mail-in ballots are rarely linked to voter fraud” read a content label.
Recently, Elon Musk, having acquired Twitter and rebranded it as X, reiterated some of Trump’s assertions concerning the American voting system. Contrary to the previous approach, X’s algorithm, under Musk’s control, amplified these posts without any fact-checks.
Since taking over, Musk has removed X’s system for flagging false election content, alleging it amounted to election interference. His attacks on a well-established voting method have alarmed civil rights lawyers, election administrators, and Democrats. Concerns arise that he may reignite the doubts about the American election system that were rampant prior to the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021.
Pro-Trump Republicans and others view the old Twitter as part of a government-controlled censorship system that helped Biden in 2020. A system now in dispute at the Supreme Court involved government officials notifying platforms of posts deemed dangerous, leaving the decision to act up to the companies themselves.
X has not responded to requests for comment. Its CEO, Linda Yaccarino, stated in a blog post that the platform has expanded its fact-checking approach through user-written “community notes”. However, Musk’s voting posts had no such notes.
No modern-era major media owner has involved himself as extensively and assertively in an American election as Musk. He urged his followers to vote Republican shortly after acquiring the site and has openly expressed his disdain for Biden.
X has also throttled and punished perceived competitors while reinstating previously banned accounts, some for content violations related to the false claim that the 2020 election was stolen.
Musk’s recent posts seem to violate X’s policy, which addresses posts inciting violence, containing false information about voting locations and dates, or misleading about eligibility laws. He’s also raised doubts about the American election system, drawing nearly 59 million views on a post concerning voting requirements.
Instances of illegal voting by noncitizens are rare. However, these unchallenged posts contribute to the existing climate of doubt and tension concerning the voting system.
Biden’s campaign has been critical of Musk’s actions, stating, “We will continue to call out this recklessness as we carry out President Biden’s commitment to protecting our elections.”
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