Billionaire Elon Musk has increased his security after German news outlet Der Spiegel labeled him “Public Enemy No. 2,” behind Donald Trump. Musk claims the mainstream media is fostering a climate of hostility and “actively encouraging” unhinged individuals to target him and Trump for assassination.
Speaking at a town hall in Pittsburgh, Musk shared his concerns about the media’s role in creating political tension. He pointed out that the Der Spiegel cover placed him alongside Trump as a threat to democracy, a characterization Musk believes is dangerous and could inspire violence. “With their relentless hit pieces, legacy mainstream media are actively encouraging the assassination of @realDonaldTrump and now me,” he posted on X.
Musk has supported Trump for months and pledged significant financial backing for pro-Trump efforts. During the town hall, he emphasized his dedication to free speech and maintaining a fair election process, stating, “I’m pro-democracy. I’m literally trying to uphold the Constitution.”
To address his safety concerns, Musk revealed that he is upgrading his personal security. He also noted the heightened risk of political involvement, jokingly referring to past assassinations. “I’m definitely upgrading my security. Guess I better cancel that open-car parade,” he said. Despite the dangers, Musk reiterated that he feels compelled to remain involved due to the high stakes for the country.
Musk also commented on the increasing vitriol from the left, noting the “level of vitriolic hatred” being directed at him. He observed that while right-leaning individuals may disagree with the left, they typically do not express the same level of animosity.