Elon Musk lambasted Wikipedia, claiming it’s “broken” for labeling Donald Trump as a potential fascist in a new article. The page, created in September 2024, compares Trump to fascist leaders amidst ongoing public debate and a poll showing 49% of voters deeming him a fascist. While the article presents both accusations and defenses regarding Trump, Musk’s critique is fueled by an anti-woke narrative promoted by the site Pirate Wires, which he endorses.
Elon Musk has taken to X to express his discontent with Wikipedia, labeling it as ‘broken’ and ‘failing’. The Tesla CEO highlighted that Wikipedia’s editors now view ‘Donald Trump as a fascist’. He referenced a newly created Wikipedia page titled ‘Donald Trump and fascism’, established on September 21, 2024, coinciding with the release of a significant article by The Guardian.
Exploring the Allegations Against Trump
The accusations suggest that Wikipedia may be biased towards Kamala Harris in the presidential race, especially regarding the portrayal of Donald Trump. The relevant English-language page, termed ‘Comparisons between Donald Trump and fascism’, was indeed created in mid-September. Wikipedia states that contributors are currently debating changing its title to simply ‘Donald Trump and fascism’.
What does this page reveal about the former president? It quickly becomes clear that Wikipedia does not assert that the term ‘fascist’ unequivocally applies to Trump. The opening lines carefully present the discussion: ‘The question of whether Donald Trump, the 45th president of the United States, can be labeled a fascist has sparked considerable academic and political debate.’ Critics have drawn parallels between Trump’s actions and those of fascist leaders, while his supporters argue that the term is misused as an insult.
The decision to feature this page stems from the numerous allegations directed at Trump. It notes that ‘during the 2024 presidential campaign, an increasing number of academics, historians, commentators, politicians, and former officials have labeled Trump a fascist.’ A recent ABC News and Ipsos poll found that ‘49% of American voters consider Donald Trump a fascist’, defining the term as ‘a political extremist who seeks to act like a dictator, disregards individual rights, and threatens or uses force against his opponents.’
This Wikipedia entry outlines the arguments from Trump’s critics, yet it also includes a section titled ‘criticisms of these comparisons’. Supporters of Trump argue that such accusations ‘could incite attempts on his life.’ Conservative commentators label the parallels drawn between Trump and fascism as ‘a threat to democracy.’
In the discussion forum for this Wikipedia page, debates among contributors reflect concerns about biases. Some argue that the publication is merely presenting ‘opinions’, indicating a potential opposition to Trump. In response, a contributor known as ‘The Midnite Wolf’ argues that having an article titled ‘Donald Trump and fascism’ doesn’t imply that Wikipedia endorses the notion that Trump is a fascist, similar to how the existence of an article on ‘Flat Earth’ does not indicate belief in the flat Earth theory.
An ‘Anti-Woke’ Orientation?
The accusations propagated by Musk suggest that Wikipedia has partisan leanings. These claims can be traced back to Pirate Wires, a platform initiated by Mike Solana, who has an interest in technology and cryptocurrency. An admirer of pro-Trump billionaire Peter Thiel, Solana uses his platform to voice an ‘anti-woke’ stance. As noted in a profile by The Atlantic, his emergence coincides with a newfound political ideology within Silicon Valley, blending pro-technology sentiments with anti-media attitudes and a complex relationship with Trump.
Though Solana professes no strict political affiliation, he hints at a libertarian inclination, a view echoed by Musk. He describes Trump as a ‘clown’ yet holds JD Vance in a more favorable light, suggesting he could become an effective leader. In contrast, Solana is highly critical of Kamala Harris, characterizing her as ‘a laughable presidential candidate’ who, according to him, no longer champions ‘free speech’.
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