Despite recent controversy surrounding Elon Musk’s tweet that sparked accusations of antisemitism, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis demonstrated his unwavering support for the billionaire during a recent interview. While being questioned by CNN host Jake Tapper about Musk’s inflammatory remark, DeSantis chose to defend him instead of disavowing him.
Although DeSantis claimed to have not seen the specific comment in question, he acknowledged that Musk has faced continuous scrutiny since his acquisition of Twitter. DeSantis voiced his approval of Musk’s efforts to change the narrative on the platform, stating that many individuals who are accustomed to controlling the discourse may not appreciate this shift.
Musk has been a longtime supporter of DeSantis, announcing the governor’s presidential campaign on Twitter back in May. The two have maintained a cordial relationship over the years, with Musk even expressing his preference for DeSantis in the upcoming 2024 election. However, it’s important to note that Musk has not officially endorsed any candidate at this time.
When confronted with the antisemitic tweet, DeSantis attempted to downplay the severity of the issue. He suggested that antisemitism on the right was limited to fringe voices, while emphasizing that institutions like colleges and universities promoted antisemitism on the left. DeSantis dismissed the tweet as mere “blogging,” disregarding the fact that it was endorsed and amplified by Musk, one of the most influential figures in the world.
Despite Tapper’s persistent questioning and DeSantis’ initial reluctance to condemn Musk, the governor eventually expressed a mild critique if the allegations were indeed true. DeSantis maintained that he personally knew Musk and had never witnessed any behavior indicative of antisemitism. However, he acknowledged that if the allegations held merit, it would be surprising.
The fallout from Musk’s tweet has been significant, leading to a mass exodus of major advertisers from Twitter. IBM, Apple, Disney, and Warner Bros. Discovery are among the prominent companies that have decided to withdraw their advertising dollars from the platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What did Elon Musk tweet that sparked controversy?
Elon Musk made a statement agreeing with the notion that Jewish people “have been pushing the exact kind of dialectical hatred against whites that they claim to want people to stop using against them.”
2. Did Governor Ron DeSantis condemn Elon Musk’s tweet?
Initially, Governor DeSantis did not condemn Musk’s tweet. However, he later expressed a slight critique, stating that he had never witnessed any signs of antisemitism from Musk.
3. Why did major advertisers leave Twitter?
The exodus of major advertisers from Twitter was a result of the controversy surrounding Elon Musk’s tweet. Companies like IBM, Apple, Disney, and Warner Bros. Discovery chose to withdraw their ad dollars from the platform in response to the incident.