New York, 31 Aug, 2024: Elon Musk has sharply criticized US presidential candidate Kamala Harris, suggesting that if she were elected, the United States could experience free speech restrictions akin to those recently seen in Brazil.
Highligts:
- Elon Musk criticized Kamala Harris, claiming that if she became president, the US could face free speech restrictions like those recently imposed in Brazil.
- Musk’s social media platform, X, was suspended in Brazil due to legal disputes over far-right accounts and misinformation.
- Musk warned that similar actions could occur in the US under Harris and Tim Walz’s leadership.
- The Brazilian Supreme Court froze Starlink bank accounts as part of the legal dispute.
- Justice Alexandre de Moraes accused Musk of disrespecting Brazilian laws and acting above local regulations.
- Musk continues to defend free speech, arguing that it is under threat globally.
The controversy began when Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordered the suspension of Musk’s social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), in Brazil. This action was part of a broader legal dispute involving the platform’s management of far-right accounts and misinformation. Musk has since warned that such restrictions could be imposed in the US if Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, along with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, were to come into power.
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Musk, a notable supporter of Republican candidate Donald Trump, took to X to express his concerns, stating, “The attacks on free speech this year are unprecedented. We could see the same in America if Kamala/Walz come to power.” He urged his followers to pay close attention to the statements of Harris and Walz, highlighting a video where Harris supported the suspension of Trump’s account on X.
The situation in Brazil escalated when the Supreme Court mandated the freezing of Starlink bank accounts, a service operated by Musk’s SpaceX. The court’s decision was linked to a broader push for compliance with local regulations, including the requirement for X to designate a representative in Brazil.
Justice de Moraes criticized Musk, accusing him of disregarding Brazilian legal standards and acting as if he were beyond national laws. This statement underscored the judiciary’s frustration with Musk’s non-compliance.
Musk continues to advocate for free speech, arguing that global attacks on this right are increasing. His remarks come amid ongoing debates about the balance between regulation and freedom of expression in the digital era.
