An influential left-wing magazine has declared that X boss Elon Musk is now “Public Enemy No. 2” after President Donald Trump.
Musk revealed that he has been forced to ramp up security in response to the German outlet, Der Spiegel, branding him an enemy of the people.
On Sunday, Musk held a town hall discussion in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
The event was in support of Trump’s candidacy.
While talking to the crowd, Musk commented on the heightened political atmosphere as the nation approaches the November 5 presidential election.
He noted he was recently on the cover of Der Spiegel.
The leftist outlet labeled him “Public Enemy No. 2,” with the first being Trump.
Germany’s largest selling magazine just published this
— Myrna 𝕏 (@GigaBeers) October 20, 2024
Elon is Enemy #2 bc he is a free speech absolutist pic.twitter.com/8HgvvO6LGC
“I’m like, enemy number 2 of what? Uh, democracy?” Musk said.
“I mean I’m pro-democracy.
“I’m literally trying to uphold the Constitution and ensure we have a free and fair election,” Musk added, eliciting applause from the crowd.
“I’m definitely upgrading my security.
“Guess I better cancel that open-car parade,” Musk said, a seeming nod to the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
The SpaceX CEO said he was a “little shook” by the “level of vitriolic hatred on the Left.”
“They claim they’re tolerant,” Musk said.
“And yet, they’re incredibly intolerant and spewing hate.
“Whereas on the right I see people who tend to regard people on the Left as, well, misguided.
“But they don’t hate them… but the amount of hate coming from the Left is like, wow, next level.”
WATCH:
A German magazine has labeled Elon Musk 'Public Enemy No. 2' and that makes Trump 'Public Enemy No. 1' for supporting democracy and free speech?
— SMX 🇺🇸 (@iam_smx) October 20, 2024
In response to the rising hostility, Elon is upgrading his security to the fullest extent.
"I am definitely upgrading my security." pic.twitter.com/2bNV24aM6N
President Trump has survived two assassination attempts amid increasingly violent rhetoric against him.
One attempt was during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July, and another around two months later while he was playing a round of golf at his club in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Musk officially endorsed Trump over the Summer.
He made the endorsement when the 45th president survived the first assassination attempt.
Musk has since joined the campaign trail in the key battleground state of Pennsylvania to rally support and encourage people to vote.