Washington, D.C. – In a significant absence, social media giant X, owned by Elon Musk, did not participate in a crucial Senate hearing focused on election security and foreign interference. Despite invitations to top tech firms, including Alphabet, Meta, and Microsoft, X “declined to send an appropriate witness,” according to Sen. Mark Warner’s office.
The hearing, led by Warner (D-Va.) and Vice Chairman Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), aimed to address concerns over foreign entities like Russia, Iran, and China using major tech platforms to influence the upcoming U.S. presidential elections. Top executives from other tech giants presented insights on ongoing threats, while X’s absence drew sharp rebuke from Warner.
Before Musk’s acquisition, X (formerly Twitter) was seen as a cooperative partner in election security matters. Warner expressed disappointment, stating, “Under X, they are absent, and some of the most egregious activity has taken place.”
X’s decision comes amid scrutiny over Musk’s controversial posts and actions on the platform, which have included sharing unverified information and posts with Kremlin-linked origins. This marks a critical moment in the relationship between major tech platforms and government oversight on election security.
X’s No-Show Raises Alarm
A spokesperson for Sen. Mark Warner, the Democratic chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, confirmed that X “declined to send an appropriate witness” to the pivotal hearing. This decision comes in the wake of the resignation of Nick Pickles, the company’s head of global affairs, on September 6. Despite the critical nature of the hearing, X did not provide a replacement for Pickles, leading to significant scrutiny.
Tech Giants Face the Heat
The hearing, led by Warner and Vice Chairman Marco Rubio, R-Fla., featured top executives from Alphabet, Meta, and Microsoft. These industry leaders, including Alphabet’s Kent Walker, Meta’s Nick Clegg, and Microsoft President Brad Smith, provided testimony on the escalating threat of foreign entities attempting to influence the U.S. elections. Alphabet and Microsoft have recently released research detailing attempts by Iranian and Russian hackers to target officials linked to both President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump.
Concerns Over Foreign Influence
Lawmakers and security officials are increasingly concerned about the role of major tech platforms in the face of foreign interference. The Biden administration has vowed a vigorous response to threats from Russia, Iran, China, and other malign actors, with Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasizing the need for relentless countermeasures.
Musk’s Controversial Posts
X’s absence from the hearing coincides with a series of controversial posts by Elon Musk on the platform. Recently, Musk shared and later deleted a provocative post questioning why there were no assassination threats against Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, despite both having received such threats. Additionally, Musk disseminated a false report about explosives found near a Trump rally, a claim later debunked by local authorities.
Warner’s Critique
Sen. Warner expressed his disappointment over X’s lack of participation, noting that the platform was previously a collaborator in addressing election security issues. He criticized X for failing to engage in the hearing, especially given the rise in harmful activity on the platform under Musk’s ownership.
The absence of X from this crucial hearing underscores ongoing tensions between tech companies and government officials over the role of social media in safeguarding democratic processes. As the November elections approach, the spotlight remains firmly on how these platforms handle election-related threats and misinformation.
