Did Elon Musk threaten to punish X users for calling Trump supporters ‘weird’? – Times of India

A post has ignited a firestorm on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, after a screenshot emerged that seemingly showed the platform’s owner, Elon Musk, taking a stand against the use of the word “weird” to describe Trump supporters.
The alleged message, which was shared by a user and rapidly went viral, has sparked debate over free speech, political bias, and the role of social media in moderating content.
The screenshot, which quickly amassed thousands of reposts, purportedly depicted Musk stating:
“‘Weird’ is a slur being used against Trump supporters, and it will not be tolerated on this platform. Trump supporters should not have to face ridicule for their beliefs. Any harassment of Trump supporters using the term ‘weird’ will be punished.”

The message, if authentic, would mark a significant moment in Musk’s controversial tenure as the head of X, highlighting the ongoing tension between fostering open discourse and protecting users from targeted harassment. Many users reacted strongly, with some praising Musk for defending a group often subjected to mockery, while others criticized what they saw as a dangerous precedent for stifling free expression on the platform.
However, as the post continued to gain traction, questions arose about its authenticity.
A detailed investigation found no record of the message on Musk’s official X account, nor in any of his deleted posts cataloged by PolitiTweet, a service that tracks deleted tweets from public figures.

The absence of such a high-profile post in both current and archived content led many to conclude that the screenshot was likely fabricated.
The timing of this controversy is particularly significant, given the context of the 2024 US presidential campaign. Vice President Kamala Harris, a key figure in the race, has frequently used the term “weird” to describe former President Donald Trump and his running mate, adding fuel to the ongoing political rhetoric.
This incident is not the first time that @theliamnisson has been involved in the spread of misleading content. The account, which bills itself as a parody, has a history of sharing satirical and fake posts, including a previous viral screenshot falsely claiming that Trump referred to US Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene as a “sasquatch.”
The widespread circulation of the Musk screenshot, despite its dubious authenticity, underscores the challenges faced by social media platforms in balancing free speech with the need to curb misinformation.