Elon Musk’s platform X recently suspended the “White Dudes for Harris” group, sparking controversy and raising questions about political bias. The suspension came shortly after the group’s massive fundraising event, which garnered over $4 million for Vice President Harris.
Fundraising Campaign Halted by Platform X
Elon Musk’s social media platform X temporarily suspended “White Dudes for Harris” on Monday night. This occurred right after a successful fundraising call where nearly 200,000 participants raised over $4 million for Vice President Harris.
Account Reinstated Following Suspension
The account, @dudes4harris, was reinstated Tuesday morning after being blocked for allegedly “evading suspension.” Organizer Ross Morales Rocketto stated that they filed a complaint with X but received no further communication from the platform.
Sudden Suspension Causes Confusion
“We hosted a wholesome event, and suddenly our account was suspended without explanation,” Morales Rocketto explained. The suspension happened unexpectedly during a period of high activity post-event.
Identity-Focused Group Gains Momentum
“White Dudes for Harris” operates independently from the Harris campaign, aiming to energize white male voters for Harris. It joins other identity-focused groups like Black Women for Harris, all working tirelessly since President Biden’s withdrawal.
Celebrity Support Highlights Event
The three-hour call featured actors like Mark Hamill and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who voiced their support for Harris. Their participation added star power and enthusiasm to the event.
Concerns Over Platform Bias
The suspension highlights fears among Democrats about potential biases on X. Musk, who bought the platform in 2022, has been accused of using it to influence political discourse.
Musk’s Political Endorsements
Recently, Musk endorsed Donald Trump and has used X to promote the GOP candidate. With 192 million followers, Musk’s influence on the platform is significant, surpassing even top political figures.
Lack of Communication from X
Neither Musk nor X responded to inquiries about the suspension and reinstatement of the account. Morales Rocketto mentioned the lack of direct communication as “suspicious.”
Duplicate Account and Online Harassment
A duplicate account, @dudesforharris, was created during the event. Morales Rocketto noted that while their main account was suspended, harassing accounts continued to tweet at them.
Previous Issues with Harris Campaign Accounts
This incident isn’t the first for Harris-related accounts on X. On July 21, many users reported issues following the official Harris campaign account after it transitioned from Biden’s campaign handle.
Call for Investigation into Platform Actions
Rep. Jerry Nadler urged an investigation into the incident, questioning potential censorship. Nadler’s letter to Rep. Jim Jordan emphasized the need for scrutiny of platform actions affecting political candidates.
Musk’s Free Speech Pledge
Since acquiring X, Musk promised to uphold free speech but has made controversial changes. These include staff layoffs, relaxed rules on hate speech, and reinstating banned accounts.
Musk’s Influence in Presidential Election
This marks the first presidential election cycle with Elon Musk at the helm of X. Republican strategist Gregg Keller lauds Musk for transforming X into a “true free speech platform,” which he believes will significantly benefit Trump.
Concerns Over Platform’s Power
Gene Kimmelman, a technology policy expert with experience in Democratic administrations, warns of X’s “enormous” influence on public opinion. He stresses the danger to democracy if this power is used to favor one political candidate for personal gains.
