Conspiracy theories about billionaire George Soros abound, and Elon Musk has apparently bought into some of them. The outgoing Twitter CEO recently tweeted Soros "hates humanity."
Musk first tweeted Soros "reminds me of Magneto," referring to the antagonist from X-Men comics—a series well-known to be an allegory for the civil rights movement.
Magneto was a Holocaust survivor whose experience strongly influenced his actions in the comics. Soros is also a Jewish Holocaust survivor, though as far as anyone is aware he doesn't share Magneto's mutant magnetic powers.
\u201cSince buying Twitter, Musk has reinstated neo-Nazis, antisemites like David Icke, & countless white nationalists. All while suspending journalists & anti-fascists. \n\nNow he goes after George Soros (again). This time with the trope of a rich Jew trying to destroy civilization.\u201d— Elad Nehorai (@Elad Nehorai) 1684205021
You can see Musk's original tweet and further interaction here:
Musk's tirade against Soros came just after it was reported Soros investment group sold their shares of Tesla sometime in the first quarter of 2023.
\u201cThe likely reason behind Elon Musk's antisemitic words tonight:\n\nGeorge Soros' fund dumped its entire Tesla stake in the first quarter of 2023.\nhttps://t.co/sCHr35pO6k\u201d— Kyle Griffin (@Kyle Griffin) 1684206005
\u201cF*ck you, Elon Musk. You\u2019re a kiss ass to tyrants; an idiot, ugly AF and now you\u2019re pushing the Soros BS because he dumped his stock in your sh*tty car company. You\u2019re f\u2019n clown. f*ck twitter, f*ck SpaceX & F*ck YOU.\ud83d\udd95\ud83c\udffb@elonmusk\u201d— NoelCaslerComedy\ud83c\udf19 (@NoelCaslerComedy\ud83c\udf19) 1684207149
Antisemitic hate speech on the platform has been on the rise since Musk acquired Twitter, with a huge spike the day he took over.
\u201c@darrengrimes_ @elonmusk For examples of the rise in hate on Twitter: see the emboldening of transphobes, racists, and other types of bigots on the platform with antisemitism specifically having a 105% increase since Musk's takeover. https://t.co/0IaweBEQhX\u201d— Darren Grimes (@Darren Grimes) 1681299522
\u201c#ElonMuskTwitter \n#TwitterTakeover \nAntisemitism on Twitter has more than doubled since Elon Musk took over the platform \n"But from Oct. 27 until Feb 9, 2023, the average was 12,762 \u2013 an increase of 105%." \nhttps://t.co/iWZ9yj8Mp5 \n#ElonMusk #Twitter\u201d— Arie Goldshlager (@Arie Goldshlager) 1679354294
There were, of course, a plethora of Musk fans in the comments parroting his antisemitic conspiracy theories about Soros.
But many were criticizing Musk too.
Some simply questioned or criticized Musk's assertion Soros "hates humanity."
\u201c@elonmusk @krassenstein How does he hate humanity exactly?\u201d— Elon Musk (@Elon Musk) 1684202551
\u201c@elonmusk @krassenstein Such sweeping exaggerations and geralizations are unbecomming of a man presumed to possess integrity.\n\n\u201cWhoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted in important affairs.\u201d\nAlbert Einstein\u201d— Elon Musk (@Elon Musk) 1684202551
\u201c@elonmusk @krassenstein \u201cSoros hates humanity\u201d Wow. You either believe this crap or you\u2019re just trying to excite your far-right followers. I don't know what\u2019s worse.\u201d— Elon Musk (@Elon Musk) 1684202551
Some pointed out Musk is pretty close to being the very thing he accuses Soros of being.
\u201c@elonmusk @krassenstein You\u2019re not a populist, YOU are literally the evil billionaire you think Soros is.. stop projecting\u201d— Elon Musk (@Elon Musk) 1684202551
\u201c@elonmusk @krassenstein Just a reminder to everyone\u2014Elon is a rightwing media mogul with massive conflicts of interests in various fields that require government oversight and regulation\u2014who\u2019s openly and not so openly\u2014utilizing his giant personal social-media platform to serve his own political purposes\u201d— Elon Musk (@Elon Musk) 1684202551
Others pointed out the interesting timing of his tweet relative to the announcement Soros dumped his Tesla stock.
\u201c@elonmusk @krassenstein So, when he buys your stock he\u2019s great, but when he dumps your stock he \u201chates humanity?\u201d \ud83e\udd37\ud83c\udffd\u200d\u2642\ufe0f\u201d— Elon Musk (@Elon Musk) 1684202551
\u201c@elonmusk @krassenstein How is this not defamation? You provide no evidence\u2026\n\nI think you\u2019re just upset that he gave up on your company\u2026that\u2019s a better guess than saying he wants to destroy humanity\n\nSelling your company is not destroying humanity. It could even be argued that this is helping humanity\u201d— Elon Musk (@Elon Musk) 1684202551
\u201c@elonmusk @krassenstein Please note: this is not at all related to the fact that Soros Fund Management has just sold off all of their Tesla stock.\n\nNot related at all. Elon isn't just being spiteful because he feels insulted. It's a complete coincidence.\u201d— Elon Musk (@Elon Musk) 1684202551
Whatever his intentions, Musk's tweets were very popular with his growing White supremacist, neo-Nazi right-wing fanbase.
Providing an excuse and a platform for antisemites to rally and share their hateful views doesn't exactly seem like it is in the best interests of humanity either.