Let’s dive into the latest political drama involving Vice President Kamala Harris, former President Donald Trump, and billionaire Elon Musk. This saga unfolded on the social media platform X, previously known as Twitter, and it’s a doozy.
Vice President Kamala Harris recently posted on X, accusing Trump of planning to impose a nationwide abortion ban. Harris’s post stated, “President @JoeBiden and I will do everything in our power to stop him and restore women’s reproductive freedom.” This claim was swiftly debunked by the platform’s Community Notes, which pointed out that Trump has repeatedly said abortion laws should be decided by the states.
Harris’s post appeared to be an attempt to rally support from liberal women by portraying Trump as a threat to abortion rights. However, this backfired when fact-checkers cited multiple sources, including CNN, The New York Times, The Associated Press, the BBC, and Trump’s own Truth Social posts, to clarify that Trump does not support a federal ban on abortion.
Elon Musk, the owner of X, responded to the situation on Monday, highlighting the fact check. Musk’s comment was a pointed criticism of Harris’s misleading post: “When will politicians, or at least the intern who runs their account, learn that lying on this platform doesn’t work anymore?”
When will politicians, or at least the intern who runs their account, learn that lying on this platform doesn’t work anymore? pic.twitter.com/wP7H4AJFwG
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 1, 2024
This response from Musk underscores the platform’s evolving role in holding public figures accountable for their statements. The Community Note accompanying Harris’s post noted, “President Trump has repeatedly said he will not sign a national abortion ban,” directly contradicting her claim.
During the CNN presidential debate in Atlanta, Trump reiterated his stance that abortion should be a state issue. “It is now back with the states,” he said. “The states are voting and in many cases, they — it’s, frankly, a very liberal decision. In many cases, it’s the opposite. But they’re voting and it’s bringing it back to the vote of the people, which is what everybody wanted.”
Trump had previously articulated this position in April, stating in a video on Truth Social, “Many people have asked me what my position is on abortion and abortion rights. It must be remembered that the Democrats are the radical ones on this position because they support abortion up to, and even beyond, the ninth month.” He further emphasized that the decision should rest with the states: “The states will determine by vote or legislation or perhaps both. And whatever they decide must be the law of the land — in this case, the law of the state.”
This incident highlights the intense political divide and the ongoing battle over abortion rights in the United States. It also showcases the power of social media platforms in fact-checking and influencing public discourse.
As the debate over abortion continues, it’s crucial for both sides to present accurate information. Misleading statements can quickly be debunked in today’s digital age, as illustrated by this latest exchange involving Harris, Trump, and Musk.