Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of X (formerly Twitter), is facing widespread criticism after amplifying a false claim that the tragic school shooting in Sweden was ignored by both politicians and the media. The misinformation quickly spread on social media before fact-checkers stepped in to set the record straight.
Sweden School Shooting: What Happened?
Rickard Andersson, a 35-year-old Swedish man described as a loner, has been identified as the gunman responsible for the mass shooting at Risbergska School in Örebro. Andersson killed ten people before turning the weapon on himself. The attack, one of the deadliest in Sweden’s history, shocked the nation and prompted an outpouring of grief and condemnation from global leaders.
Musk Amplifies Misinformation
While well-wishers paid their respects to the victims, a right-wing account, Inevitable West, falsely claimed that “no European politician” had acknowledged the attack and that “legacy media, as always, is silent.” The post, viewed over 1.2 million times, was later amplified by Musk, further fueling the misinformation.
However, the claim was quickly debunked. Major media outlets across Europe and beyond extensively covered the attack, while high-profile political figures, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, condemned the violence and expressed condolences.
Community Notes Calls Out Falsehoods
Ironically, X’s own fact-checking system, Community Notes, corrected the misinformation Musk had shared. The fact-check pointed out that mainstream media had covered the shooting extensively, and European politicians had indeed commented on the tragedy.
“Many legacy media outlets from around the world have covered the Sweden shooting. Additionally, European politicians have mentioned it, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, whose response is highlighted in the Le Monde article,” the Community Notes correction read.
Journalists and Experts Call Musk Out
Several journalists and academics called Musk out for his misleading post.
Christian Christensen, a professor at Stockholm University, criticized Musk for using a classic far-right strategy of spreading misinformation to imply mainstream media bias.
“Musk amplifying the lie that mainstream media isn’t covering the mass killing in #Sweden—falsely implying it’s because the killer was an immigrant and the media won’t report it—is a classic b******t strategy from the far-right. Basically: ‘They won’t tell you the truth…but we will,'” Christensen tweeted.
Swedish journalist Gunilla von Hall also refuted Musk’s claim, calling it a “pure lie” and highlighting the extensive coverage by major European news outlets. Similarly, BBC Verify journalist Shayan Sardarizadeh shared screenshots of widespread reporting on the attack, further discrediting Musk’s claim.
World Leaders React to the Tragedy
Contrary to the misinformation Musk promoted, numerous political figures publicly addressed the shooting. Among those offering condolences were:
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky
- German Chancellor Olaf Scholz
- French President Emmanuel Macron
- Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
- EU Commission Chief Ursula von der Leyen
Their statements condemned the violence and expressed solidarity with the victims’ families and the Swedish people.
Investigation Ongoing
Authorities in Örebro are continuing their investigation into Andersson’s motive. While he was known as a recluse, police have confirmed that he had ties to the Risbergska School and may have attended it in the past.
The gunman had four registered firearm licenses, and officers found three weapons and a large amount of ammunition on him at the crime scene. The school, which serves adults over 20 years old, offers Swedish-language courses for immigrants, vocational training, and special education programs. The Syrian embassy in Sweden has confirmed that some victims were Syrian citizens, though no official list of victims has been released.
The Bigger Issue: Misinformation and Influence
Musk’s willingness to amplify falsehoods raises broader concerns about the role of influential figures in spreading misinformation. Despite owning a platform that claims to support free speech and fact-checking, Musk has repeatedly shared or engaged with misleading narratives.
His critics argue that this latest incident underscores the dangers of unchecked misinformation, particularly in an era where social media plays a significant role in shaping public opinion. The controversy also highlights the importance of responsible journalism and fact-checking in countering false narratives.
Conclusion
Elon Musk’s latest social media blunder has once again put him in the spotlight for the wrong reasons. While Sweden mourns its worst school shooting in history, the spread of misinformation only adds to the chaos and confusion. Fortunately, journalists, experts, and fact-checkers continue to set the record straight, reinforcing the value of truth in a digital landscape increasingly dominated by half-truths and outright lies.
