More Leftist Comments On Musk Agenda
Former MSNBC host Keith Olbermann has taken aim at Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, calling for his deportation and urging President Joe Biden to use his presidential powers to remove the billionaire from the country. Olbermann’s fiery comments come as Musk continues to express support for former President Donald Trump and criticize the Biden administration’s handling of FEMA resources, sparking outrage among Musk’s critics.
Olbermann, who has a long history of vocal criticism against Trump and his supporters, posted a video on social media, including on Musk's own platform X (formerly known as Twitter), to promote his podcast and deliver his message. In the video, Olbermann didn’t hold back, insisting, "It is now time to cancel all of Elon Musk’s government contracts. Tesla, SpaceX, whatever other crap he’s selling us." He accused Musk of spreading what he called "potentially fatal disinformation and misinformation" about FEMA’s recovery efforts, which have been under scrutiny for their handling of the aftermath of recent natural disasters.
Olbermann's frustration with Musk appears to have reached a boiling point after Musk joined Trump on stage at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where Trump returned to address supporters following an assassination attempt at the same location just 12 weeks earlier. During that rally, Musk’s speech emphasized Trump’s resilience and character, contrasting him with other political figures in a way that delighted the crowd of 60,000. He praised Trump’s courage, saying, "We had one president who couldn't climb a flight of stairs and another who was fist-pumping after getting shot." Musk’s words were met with cheers and signs emblazoned with slogans like "Never Surrender" and "Fight, Fight, Fight."
Musk’s open endorsement of Trump, coupled with his criticism of FEMA and the Biden administration’s mixed messaging about disaster relief funds, seems to have struck a nerve with Olbermann. The former MSNBC anchor accused Musk of turning X into a "Trump advertising campaign" and even suggested re-evaluating Musk’s immigration status with an eye toward deportation. "If we can’t do that by conventional means, President Biden, you have presidential immunity," Olbermann continued, urging the president to take drastic action against Musk.
The irony of Olbermann using X to voice his criticisms against Musk while calling for his deportation was not lost on observers. Despite advocating for Musk’s removal from the country, Olbermann is still leveraging the platform owned by the billionaire to spread his message and promote his podcast. This paradox underscores the complex and often contentious relationship between Musk and his critics, who both rely on and challenge the reach and influence of his media empire.
JUST IN: Elon Musk sits down for an interview with Tucker Carlson, says he is all in with Trump.
“If [Trump] loses, I’m f*cked… How long do you think my prison sentence is going to be?”
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) October 7, 2024
Olbermann’s disdain for Musk is not a new development. He has previously targeted Musk for his handling of Twitter’s (now X’s) moderation policies and his support for free speech, which many on the left view as a cover for amplifying conservative voices. Musk’s influence on social media and his outspoken political stance have made him a lightning rod for criticism from figures like Olbermann, who argue that the tech mogul’s actions could have a direct impact on political outcomes, particularly as the U.S. approaches the critical November 5 showdown between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.
This confrontation between Olbermann and Musk also taps into broader debates about how government contracts should be handled when public figures express political views that clash with the sitting administration. Olbermann’s call to strip Musk’s companies of government contracts, including those held by Tesla and SpaceX, raises questions about the intersection of business, politics, and free speech in the modern era. While Musk’s companies play significant roles in areas like electric vehicles and space exploration, the idea of cutting off contracts to punish political positions has sparked a larger discussion about the appropriate use of federal power.
Olbermann, known for his provocative statements and dramatic exits from networks like MSNBC and ESPN, has never been shy about voicing his opinions against Trump and his allies. In the past, he has likened Trump and his family to historical villains, even moving out of his apartment building because it was owned by the former president. His penchant for using colorful language and incendiary rhetoric has made him a polarizing figure in political commentary circles.
Adding fuel to the fire, Olbermann took issue with White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre’s conflicting statements about FEMA's allocation of funds. He highlighted a clip of Jean-Pierre asserting that FEMA resources were not being used on migrants, despite previous statements suggesting otherwise. This ongoing controversy about FEMA’s funding priorities has drawn criticism from various quarters, particularly after Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas admitted that the agency might lack sufficient funds to last through the hurricane season.
The White House has maintained that funds allocated for the migrant crisis were from a separate budget stream and did not affect the disaster relief resources intended for American citizens. However, the conflicting information has led to widespread criticism, with many questioning the administration's transparency and priorities in managing disaster relief while handling other complex issues like immigration.
Olbermann's call for Musk’s deportation, although unlikely to be taken seriously at the federal level, has nonetheless stirred up political drama and intensified the spotlight on Musk’s role in the current political landscape. As Musk continues to position himself as a vocal supporter of free speech and a defender of conservative values, his influence over platforms like X and his visible alignment with Trump in this volatile election season ensure that he remains a focal point for controversy and debate.