DeSantis backs Elon Musk in dodgy response to antisemitic submit

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has refused to sentence an antisemitic tweet by X proprietor Elon Musk.

Talking on CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday, the presidential hopeful refused to denounce Mr Musk’s promotion of a conspiratorial tweet, which accused Jewish communities of “pushing the precise form of dialectical hatred in opposition to whites.”

“You have got stated the precise reality,” Mr Musk replied.

CNN host Jake Tapper requested Mr DeSantis, who launched his presidential marketing campaign on X, about his response to Mr Musk’s tweet — together with whether or not he condemned it.

“I didn’t see the remark,” Mr DeSantis stated earlier than abruptly switching gears. “Elon has had a goal on his again ever since he bought Twitter, as a result of I feel he’s taking it in a path that lots of people who’re used to controlling the narrative don’t like. So I used to be a giant supporter of him buying Twitter. I feel that they’re clearly nonetheless working some stuff out, however I didn’t see these feedback.”

Tapper confirmed Mr DeSantis the X trade earlier than asking: “You’ve been very upfront if you see antisemitism on the left. Is antisemitism on the appropriate one thing that issues you as properly?”

“Throughout the board,” the Florida Republican stated. He then tried to tell apart the distinction in antisemitic assaults coming from either side. He alleged that such hate has arisen from distinguished universities on the left in comparison with “fringe voices” on the appropriate.

Tapper interjected that Mr Musk is much from “fringe,” being the wealthiest individual on this planet. “I’d ask that main Republican figures, such as you, use your voices as properly to face in opposition to it,” the anchor added.

Mr DeSantis dismissed Mr Musk’s submit as merely “running a blog.”

“I’m simply saying, Elon Musk is a fairly highly effective man, and he’s on the market endorsing some fairly hideous antisemitic conspiracy theories,” Tapper stated. “And I nonetheless haven’t heard you condemn it.”

“Nicely as a result of I haven’t seen it,” the 2024 hopeful replied. “I do not know what the context is. I do know Elon Musk. I’ve by no means seen him do something. I feel he’s a man that believes in America. I’ve by no means seen him take pleasure in any of that. So it’s shocking, if that’s true, however I’ve not seen it. So I don’t wish to sit there and go judgment on the fly.”

The Florida governor’s refusal to sentence the offensive tweet arrives amid an increase in antisemitism throughout the nation following the 7 October assaults within the Center East, resulting in the outbreak of the Israel–Hamas warfare.