Elon Musk, the prominent CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has been generating significant controversy with his repeated predictions of an impending civil war in Europe. These pronouncements, which have been ongoing for almost a year, are primarily linked to immigration issues, sparking heated debates among critics and supporters alike.
According to a report by NBC News, Musk has shared his controversial views on his social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, at least eight times in the past ten months. His posts frequently suggest that Europe is on the brink of a “civil war” due to the influx of refugees from other continents.
Musk’s comments gained particular attention earlier this month when he weighed in on anti-immigration street riots across Great Britain, stating, “Civil war is inevitable.” This post, which garnered a staggering 9.8 million views, ignited a fiery debate with the office of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who dismissed Musk’s prediction as baseless.
While Musk’s rhetoric is unusual for a corporate executive, the notion of a civil war has become a common talking point among certain far-right activists. Jon Lewis, a research fellow at George Washington University’s Program on Extremism, compared Musk’s posts to a “white supremacist clarion call.”
“What you’re seeing in these calls for civil war is a white supremacist clarion call. It is a dog whistle,” Lewis told the outlet. “Rhetorically, there is very little difference, and at this point it’s barely coded language. It’s everything but explicit incitement,” he added. “It’s only a matter of time, unfortunately, before someone listens,” he said, warning that Musk’s words could inspire violence by others.
Despite the controversy surrounding his statements, Musk has not directly responded to questions about his civil war predictions. His posts have received both support and criticism, with some accusing him of fear-mongering.
The significance of Musk’s civil war predictions lies in the unusual reach his influence affords him as the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX. His comments have even garnered support from prominent figures, further fueling the debate. The controversy surrounding his predictions reflects the divisive nature of the immigration issue in Europe and the potential for social unrest. However, it also raises important questions about the role and responsibility of influential figures in shaping public discourse.
