Elon Musk Probes Claims Of Social Media Tactics Linked To Kamala Harris

Elon Musk, the owner of social media platform X, has launched an investigation into alleged social media manipulation by Vice President Kamala Harris’ team, raising questions about the integrity of digital political engagement.

At a Glance

Musk is investigating claims that Harris’ team engaged in social media manipulation tactics
The investigation aims to uncover methods used to artificially boost Harris’ online popularity
Concerns have been raised about the legitimacy of social media in political settings
The probe reflects growing worries about maintaining ethical standards in digital political operations
Findings could have significant implications for political credibility in the digital age

Allegations of Social Media Manipulation

Reports have surfaced suggesting that the Harris-Walz campaign may have coordinated pro-Harris posts on social media platforms, potentially violating terms of service agreements. The campaign allegedly used a secret Discord server to instruct volunteers in “astroturfing” techniques, designed to mimic strong public support.

One of the more concerning allegations is that volunteers were directed to downvote and block Community Notes on X that corrected Harris-Walz articles. This practice, if true, could be seen as an attempt to suppress fact-checking efforts on the platform.

We are investigating this https://t.co/JR7gikRDxY

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 30, 2024

X’s Payment System and Misinformation Concerns

Adding to the complexity of the situation, X recently changed its payment rules on October 9, basing payments on engagement from premium users rather than ad views. This change has led to concerns about incentivizing provocative claims and misinformation.

Unlike other social media platforms, X lacks specific guidelines on misinformation. This lack of clear policies has raised concerns about the platform potentially incentivizing the spread of false or misleading information for financial gain.

Musk’s Involvement in Political Content

Elon Musk’s role in this investigation is particularly noteworthy given his own recent actions on the platform. In a controversial move, Musk reposted a digitally manipulated campaign video of Vice President Kamala Harris, which was viewed 98 million times.

“This is amazing,” said Elon Musk of the deepfake post on X, without indicating that it was, in fact, a deepfake.

The edited video mimicked Harris’s voice, falsely attributing statements to her about President Biden and her own qualifications. Musk’s repost did not disclose that the video was manipulated, potentially violating X’s own policies against deceptive media.

Broader Implications for Political Discourse

This investigation comes at a time when concerns about the impact of social media on political discourse are at an all-time high. The ease with which misinformation can spread across platforms like X, Facebook, and TikTok has become a significant issue in modern politics.

As the 2024 election approaches, the outcome of Musk’s investigation could have far-reaching implications for how political campaigns engage with social media platforms and how these platforms regulate political content. The balance between free speech and the need to combat misinformation remains a critical challenge for both tech companies and political entities.