On March 4, Elon Musk, who owns X (formerly Twitter), reposted a video by conservative commentator Ben Shapiro. In the clip, Shapiro claimed that Chauvin had been wrongfully convicted and called for his release.
“The inciting event for the BLM riots that caused R36.95 billion in property damage in the United States and set America’s race relations on their worst footing in my lifetime was, in fact, the railroading of Derek Chauvin in the death of George Floyd,” Shapiro stated.
Musk captioned the repost with a simple but provocative message: “Something to think about.”
Offset Responds with Outrage
The post quickly sparked backlash, with Offset taking to Instagram to voice his anger.
“Racist b**** playin in Black folks’ faces,” the rapper wrote, making it clear he was done with Musk’s business ventures. “Driving Ferrari not Tesla.”
Offset, a former member of Migos, has been outspoken on social justice issues and was among many in the hip-hop community to react strongly to Musk’s apparent support for Chauvin.
Shapiro’s Campaign for Chauvin’s Release
Shapiro’s advocacy for Chauvin has gone beyond social media. He has launched an entire petition website dedicated to overturning the former officer’s conviction. Chauvin was sentenced to 21 years in prison for violating George Floyd’s civil rights and is currently expected to remain incarcerated until 2038, unless pardoned.
Floyd’s 2020 killing, in which Chauvin kneeled on his neck for over nine minutes, ignited global protests against racial injustice and police brutality. The conviction was seen as a landmark case in holding law enforcement accountable.
Backlash Against Musk’s Stance
This is not the first time Musk has been accused of making racially insensitive statements. Since acquiring X, he has repeatedly clashed with civil rights organizations and activists over his stance on free speech and content moderation.
Many social media users and activists have condemned Musk’s repost, arguing that it undermines the significance of Floyd’s case and dismisses the systemic issues surrounding police brutality.
Final Thoughts
Offset’s reaction highlights the growing tensions between celebrities, social activists, and powerful tech moguls. With Musk continuing to push controversial narratives, and public figures like Offset pushing back, the debate over free speech, racial justice, and accountability is far from over.
