Elon Musk set to visit Auschwitz months after ‘foolish’ endorsement of antisemitic theory
The tech billionaire was criticised by the White House in November over his endorsement of an antisemitic theory on X
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Tech and Tesla billionaire Elon Musk is due to take part in an online antisemitism panel next week and visit the death camp Auschwitz, months after he faced criticism for endorsing a Jewish conspiracy theory on his social media site X.
Musk faced accusations of antisemitism in November when he replied, “You have said the actual truth” to a post on X that made the false claim that Jewish communities push hatred against white people.
The White House immediately condemned his comments, while Musk was scolded by President Isaac Herzog during a trip to Israel. Musk said the endorsement was a mistake, describing it as “one of the most foolish” things he had done on the platform.
He is now reported to be going on a two-day trip to Poland to begin on Monday, just one week before International Holocaust Remembrance Day on 27 January, which commemorates the six million Jewish people killed by Adolf Hitler’s Nazi party.
The visit has been organised by the European Jewish Association to raise awareness of the surge in antisemitism since Israel’s invasion of Gaza in retaliation for the Hamas attacks on 7 October.
Polish deputy foreign minister Andrzej Szejna said “Everyone acknowledges what a great threat nationalism, populism, racism, and all manifestations of xenophobia and hatred are to democracy, human rights and the EU.
“I think this is probably the reason why Mr Musk is among the invited guests who have confirmed their presence.”
Musk has also publicly criticised the Anti-Defamation League, another organisation tackling antisemitism, with their spokesperson adding that the entrepreneur would benefit from the visit.
“Anyone who has the opportunity to bear witness to the atrocities that took place in Auschwitz-Birkenau should go,” Todd Gutnick, from the group, said. “Auschwitz serves as the ultimate reminder of what can happen when a society or its leaders are consumed with antisemitism.”
He will be joined on the panel by conservative political commentator Ben Shapiro, who has been outspoken in his support for Israel.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments