Vice President Kamala Harris recently encountered significant backlash on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter, after making a misleading statement regarding former President Donald Trump’s stance on abortion. In a post dated June 30, Harris claimed that Trump would enforce a nationwide abortion ban if re-elected. This assertion directly contradicted Trump’s publicly stated position, which has consistently been that the issue of abortion should be decided by individual states. The platform’s “community notes” feature quickly fact-checked Harris’s statement, and the vice president faced sharp criticism, including a notable rebuke from Elon Musk, the platform’s primary shareholder.
Harris’s exact words were, “Donald Trump would ban abortion nationwide. President [Biden] and I will do everything in our power to stop him and restore women’s reproductive freedom.” This statement was made in the context of the ongoing debate about abortion rights in the United States, which has been a contentious issue since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June 2022. The ruling returned the power to regulate abortion to the states, undoing nearly 50 years of federal protection for abortion rights.
During his recent debate with President Joe Biden, Trump reiterated his stance that abortion should be regulated at the state level, respecting the Supreme Court’s decision. This position aligns with his previous statements following the Roe v. Wade reversal, where he supported the justices’ decision to decentralize the issue, allowing each state to determine its own abortion laws. This nuanced position was reflected in various reports from media outlets, including those with left-leaning perspectives, which accurately reported on Trump’s stance.
Following her post, Harris was criticized by numerous users on the X platform. Many of them highlighted reports and statements from Trump himself that contradicted her claim. However, the most significant response came from Elon Musk, who owns a substantial share of the platform. Musk tweeted, “When will politicians, or at least the intern who runs their account, learn that lying on this platform doesn’t work anymore?” His comment underscored the platform’s evolving role in holding public figures accountable for their statements.
Dave Rubin, a host and contributor with The Blaze Media, joined the conversation, expressing support for Musk’s position. Rubin tweeted, “Do you see why the system has tried to take out Elon? He is able to help us debunk this nonsense in real time.” This exchange highlighted the growing influence of social media platforms in real-time fact-checking and shaping public discourse.
President Biden also faced scrutiny for his statements during the debate. At one point, Biden claimed, “I’m the only president this century that doesn’t have any — this decade — that doesn’t have any troops dying anywhere in the world, like [Trump] did.” This statement was quickly fact-checked by users on the X platform and by reputable news outlets such as the New York Post. The fact-checks revealed that at least 16 U.S. soldiers have died during Biden’s presidency, including 13 during the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021 and three more in a drone strike in Jordan.
Elon Musk shared his views on the debate between Biden and Trump, which he perceived as little more than political theater. Musk took to the X platform shortly after the debate to share his thoughts, responding to a post from billionaire venture capitalist David Sacks. Sacks had criticized the CNN commentators for their coverage of Biden, suggesting that they lacked loyalty and remorse in their criticism. Musk replied, “They’re just talking puppets. It was a setup for a switch,” suggesting that the debate and its coverage were orchestrated events lacking genuine substance.
Larry Sabato, Director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics, also weighed in on the state of the Biden-Trump race during a CNN segment. Sabato observed that the race between the two candidates was no longer close, with Biden trailing significantly behind Trump. He expressed doubt that Biden could substantially alter this dynamic through media appearances or rallies. “I don’t think [President Biden] can change the dynamic with one interview,” Sabato remarked. He emphasized the concerning trends for Democrats, citing recent surveys that consistently showed Biden falling behind Trump.
Sabato elaborated, “Just take the four last week, including CNN’s poll — all of them were in agreement, which you rarely see even with well-conducted polls: Biden, who was really maybe even, maybe two points behind Trump, is now — at least in unison in these polls — six points behind. That’s millions and millions of voters. And what is it that’s going to restore them? A good interview, a good rally? Come on.”
The unfolding narrative on the X platform and the reactions from influential figures like Elon Musk and political analysts like Larry Sabato underscore the complexity and volatility of the current political landscape. As the 2024 election approaches, the role of social media in shaping public perception and holding politicians accountable will likely continue to grow, influencing both the strategies of political campaigns and the engagement of voters.