Elon Musk made waves on social media with a problematic reaction to US President Joe Biden's recent remarks aimed at Donald Trump and his supporters during a campaign event in Scranton, Pennsylvania, US, on Saturday. The event, which served as a final push for Vice President Kamala Harris, provided Biden with a platform to address key issues while taking jabs at his political adversaries.
In his speech, Biden criticised Trump’s proposed tax cuts that he claims primarily benefit the wealthy, emphasising the disparities in economic policy between the two political parties. He argued that such tax breaks would only exacerbate the wealth gap and harm working-class Americans. “There’s one more thing Trump and his Republican friends want to do. They want to have a giant tax cut for the wealthy,” he stated, addressing members of a local carpenters union.
What Did Biden Say?
However, it was Biden's unusual commentary on Trump’s supporters that captured widespread attention. He remarked on the nature of “macho guys,” suggesting that some might misinterpret their bravado as a form of masculinity.
“I tell you what, man, when I was in Scranton, we used to have a little trouble going down the plot once in a while,” he said, adding humorously, “These are the kind of guys you’d like to smack in the ass.”
This seemingly light-hearted, yet controversial comment elicited laughter from the audience but also raised eyebrows among political commentators.
How Did Musk Respond?
In response to Biden's remarks, Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla, SpaceX and owner of X (formerly Twitter), chimed in with a tweet that read, “He called me 'gay' and now he wants to touch my ass,” accompanied by laughter emojis.
The tweet quickly gained traction, with over 71.8 million views as followers and critics alike reacted to his jab. Among the responses were comments like “Why do they keep letting him out in public?” and “Keep letting Joe talk!” showcasing a range of opinions on the situation.
The political drama didn’t stop there, as Trump later ridiculed Biden during a rally in North Carolina, questioning, “I don't even know, is he still around?” This remark, coupled with earlier controversies surrounding comedian Tony Hinchcliffe's derogatory comments about Puerto Rico at a Trump rally, highlighted the contentious atmosphere leading up to the elections.
In response to Hinchcliffe's comments, Biden retorted, “The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters,” further intensifying the heated exchanges between the political figures.