Elon Musk on Why Hate Speech Won't Be Removed From X: "We Delete Things if They Are Illegal"

https://www.lipstickalley.com/threads/elon-musk-on-why-hate-speech-wont-be-removed-from-x-we-delete-things-if-they-are-illegal.5559799/

When asked if “better content moderation” on X would help Musk avoid having to answer questions about his apparent support of the Great Replacement Theory, a conspiracy theory that claims there’s a plot to diminish the influence of white people, Musk retaliated by saying that he doesn’t have to answer questions from reporters and only accepted this interview because Lemon’s show is on X.

Lemon also asked Musk if he felt that, as the owner of one of the biggest social media platforms, he has any responsibility in moderating the platform. Musk avoided answering, instead noting that X has community notes to combat misinformation.

When Lemon said that Musk recently referred to moderation as a “digital chastity belt,” Musk said that he only saw a responsibility to “adhere to the law” and to display why things are shown on X according to its algorithm. He also denied that hate speech has increased on the platform since his ownership.

Lemon then showed Musk various antisemitic tweets that remain on X. “From your own content policy, these posts should have been deleted. Why haven’t they been deleted?,” Lemon asked. Musk said that posts are only deleted from X “if they are illegal.” He denied responsibility for encouraging hate speech, saying, “If content is on the platform, that doesn’t mean we promote it.”

Towards the end of the interview, the conversation returned to free speech on X. Lemon inquired about Musk’s response to advertisers who chose to pull ads from the platform. The reporter pointed out advertisers are free to choose where to advertise. “How is that not free speech?,” Lemon asked Musk.

Musk confirmed advertisers are free to choose which platform they advertise on, which prompted Lemon to inquire further about the X owner’s comments: “So you said if they kill the company, it’s them. But doesn’t the buck stop with you?”

“Don, choose your questions carefully, there’s five minutes left,” Musk responded. He explained that he acquired the platform to “preserve freedom of speech in America, the First Amendment.” Musk added, “If that means making less money, so be it.”