Posts incorrectly claim video shows Harris vowing to censor X, Musk

In Brazil, billionaire Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, has recently faced a nationwide suspension. Following this event, various social media users, including former independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., have circulated a misleading video featuring Vice President Kamala Harris. The video has been used to falsely assert that Harris threatened to censor both the platform and Musk.

The claim suggests that Harris explicitly stated she would shut down X upon winning the 2024 presidential election and implied that Musk had “lost his privileges.” However, this assertion is inaccurate. The video in question originates from 2019, long before Musk acquired Twitter and rebranded it as X.

In the clip, Harris is seen discussing with CNN host Jake Tapper the need for accountability regarding social media companies, particularly in relation to then-President Donald Trump’s account. At that time, she advocated for Trump’s Twitter account to be suspended following the significant influence it had over public opinion.

Kennedy, who recently suspended his presidential campaign and endorsed Trump, utilized this clip in a post on X as alleged evidence that Harris’s comments were directed at Musk. He questioned her understanding of free speech, stating, “Can someone please explain to her that freedom of speech is a RIGHT, not a ‘privilege’?” His post has garnered approximately 200,300 likes and shares.

Another prominent post that shared the same video made the claim: “Kamala will shut down X if she wins.” This post has also gained traction, accumulating about 105,000 likes and shares. Additionally, some users hinted that Harris was voicing support for a Brazilian Supreme Court justice’s decision to block X.

In the fuller context of the interview, part of CNN’s post-debate coverage from October 15, 2019, Tapper questioned Harris on her push for Trump’s account suspension. He referenced her confrontation with fellow Democratic candidate Senator Elizabeth Warren over the matter. Twitter ultimately did suspend Trump’s account in January 2021, citing concerns over potential incitement of violence following the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. After buying Twitter, Musk reinstated Trump’s account in November 2022.

During the CNN interview, Harris articulated that Trump had shown a willingness to obstruct justice and that his statements on Twitter could heavily influence public behavior. She clarified that, “as far as I’m concerned,” Trump had “lost his privileges” and that his account should be suspended, although she did not advocate for shutting down the platform itself. Instead, she emphasized the necessity of holding social media platforms accountable.

Her statement underlined a desire for uniform rules across social media platforms, saying, “You can’t say that you have one rule for Facebook and a different rule for Twitter.” She insisted that social media companies must recognize their significant influence on the public without facing oversight or regulation.

The erroneous claims about Harris’s comments have drawn attention, prompting inquiries directed at her campaign. However, a spokesperson for the Democratic National Committee declined to comment on these unfounded allegations. Requests for comments from representatives of Trump and Kennedy also went unanswered.

Meanwhile, regarding the suspension of X in Brazil, the legal spotlight falls on Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes. He mandated the platform’s suspension last Friday due to its failure to appoint a local legal representative as required by Brazilian law. This ruling was unanimously affirmed by a court panel shortly thereafter. X had removed its legal representative in Brazil, alleging threats of arrest from de Moraes, and it remains suspended until it adheres to the court’s directives and settles outstanding fines.

Source: AP News