Following a nationwide suspension of Elon Musk’s X platform in Brazil, there has been misinformation circulating on social media regarding a years-old video of Vice President Kamala Harris. Claims are being made, including by former independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., that Harris threatened to censor both X and Musk if she were to win the 2024 presidential election. However, these claims are false as the video in question dates back to 2019 and Harris was actually discussing then-President Donald Trump in relation to Twitter, not Musk or X.
In the video clip, Harris is seen discussing the need for increased accountability for social media companies following a Democratic primary debate. Kennedy used this clip to suggest that Harris was targeting Musk and X, but this interpretation is inaccurate. Harris was specifically addressing concerns about Trump’s tweets impacting public perceptions and the need for platforms like Twitter to take responsibility for their influence.
Despite the misinterpretation of Harris’s comments, some social media users have been sharing the video with misleading captions suggesting that Harris aims to shut down X if she becomes president. It’s essential to clarify that Harris did not call for the entire platform to be shut down but emphasized the importance of social media platforms being held accountable for their power and influence.
The Brazilian Supreme Court’s recent decision to block X in Brazil was due to the platform’s failure to appoint a local legal representative, as required by law. The suspension will remain in effect until X complies with the court’s order and settles outstanding fines. This situation in Brazil is unrelated to the false claims circulating on social media concerning Harris and Musk.
The Harris campaign referred inquiries about the misinformation to a Democratic National Committee spokesperson, while there was no response from representatives of Trump or Kennedy regarding the misleading claims. It is crucial to fact-check information before spreading it on social media to avoid the perpetuation of false narratives.