Is Elon Musk's life in danger? X user calls for Luigi style assassination, deactivates account after tweet goes viral

A controversial post on X (formerly Twitter) has gone viral, sparking accusations that it indirectly calls for violence against billionaire Elon Musk. The uproar follows heightened tensions over corporate leadership and accountability, especially after the high-profile murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City.

The Post That Sparked Outrage

The controversy began when Bill Shea, a user on X, shared a post featuring a screenshot from the account Republicans Against Trump. The screenshot read: “Elon Musk is literally everything MAGA Republicans accused George Soros of doing.” In his caption, Shea wrote, “Folks, please do not forget Musk is a CEO of several companies. I say again, he’s a CEO. Do with that information as you will.”



Critics quickly condemned Shea's post, accusing him of insinuating harm toward Musk. As the backlash intensified, Shea's profile was deactivated, likely due to the negative attention.

Who is Bill Shea?

X user Bill Shea sparked controversy after sharing a post comparing Elon Musk to George Soros. The original post, from the account Republicans Against Trump, featured a screenshot of one of Musk’s tweets about a spending bill. It stated, “Elon Musk is literally everything MAGA Republicans accused of George Soros of doing.” Following Shea’s repost, several X users then incorrectly claimed Shea had called for Musk’s assassination. Shea’s X profile was subsequently deactivated.

Brian Thompson's Murder

This uproar comes on the heels of the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a Manhattan hotel. Luigi Mangione, a 26-year-old former Ivy League student, was arrested after a five-day manhunt and charged with the crime. The killing has sparked debates about corporate accountability and public dissatisfaction with the U.S. healthcare system.

Mangione's actions have polarised public opinion. An Emerson College poll revealed that 41% of voters aged 18–29 found his actions either somewhat or completely acceptable. Among Democrats, 22% expressed some level of approval for Mangione's alleged actions, compared to just 2% of Republicans and 16% of independents. Critics argue that such sentiments risk normalising violence against corporate leaders.

Cult-Like Following for Mangione

Online, Mangione has been turned into a cult figure in certain circles, with supporters claiming his actions highlight systemic failures in the healthcare industry. In a striking example, a "Mangione lookalike contest" was held in New York City, drawing attention to the public's fascination with him. Critics have condemned this glorification of violence, while supporters argue that it reflects deep frustrations with corporate systems.

Taylor Lorenz Adds Fuel to the Fire

Adding to the discourse, former Washington Post journalist Taylor Lorenz courted controversy on the Bluesky platform. She posted an image captioned “CEO DOWN” and criticised corporate executives for perpetuating systemic harm. Lorenz clarified her stance, writing, “I don’t support murder, but I also don’t think it’s wrong to call out the individuals enabling these systems of oppression.”

Implications for Social Media Moderation and Public Discourse

Shea’s post, coupled with the ongoing debates around Mangione’s actions, has reignited calls for stricter moderation of violent rhetoric on social media platforms. Musk’s supporters have particularly emphasised the need to curb language that could incite harm.