Elon Musk’s angry rhetoric about immigration in Europe is once again stirring debate. His words on social media and in right-wing circles have raised questions about how his platform, X, shapes public opinion and spreads misinformation.
Musk’s attacks add fuel to Europe’s migration debate
In mid-September, Elon Musk took part via videolink in a far-right rally in London alongside British activist Tommy Robinson. There, he warned of “violence coming” to British citizens and claimed that migrants posed a real danger, even as crime in the UK has been declining for decades. Musk’s recent statements are part of a pattern that includes calling British police “Nazi war criminals,” comparing irregular migrants to monstrous fiction characters, and claiming that Democrats in the United States are “mass importing” new voters.
His escalating language comes at a time when migration continues to divide Europe. The share of migrants on the continent rose from 7.1 percent of the population in 1990 to 12.6 percent in 2024, an increase of 75 percent. The number of asylum seekers grew from fewer than 400,000 to over one million annually. For those wondering what motivates people to move, guides like how to immigrate to Denmark explain part of this broader trend that Musk so frequently reacts against.
X amplifies anger and misinformation
Since Musk took over X in 2022, researchers say the platform has become more politicized. Studies by media scholars from Denmark, Norway, and the UK document a rapid rise in anti-immigration and racist content. According to a University of Oslo researcher, posts have become notably more hostile compared to when the platform was still called Twitter.
A nine-month study by Sky News tested whether X’s algorithm promotes extreme content. It created nine test profiles with different political leanings. Regardless of whether the accounts appeared left- or right-wing, they all received mostly right-leaning or polarizing content. More than half of the posts contained hate speech or extremist phrasing. Analysts suggest that X’s algorithm rewards material that provokes strong emotions such as anger and fear, which helps explain why immigration issues dominate feeds across Europe.
False claims can ignite real-world violence
These dynamics have serious consequences. After a knife attack in the UK that killed three young girls in 2024, a now-banned X account called “Europe Invasion” quickly spread stories that the attacker was a Muslim migrant. The rumors reached hundreds of thousands within hours, long before police had confirmed any facts. When it emerged that the suspect was born in Cardiff to Christian parents from Rwanda, riots had already broken out in several cities.
Technology experts warn against interpreting online outrage as a reflection of society itself. Instead, it often mirrors what platforms choose to promote. That distortion makes it easy for users to mistake trends for reality, potentially fueling political responses to exaggerated problems.
Misinformation spreads fast — and subtly
Misinformation on X is not always rooted in outright fabrications. Some viral material contains missing context or misleading framings. In one case, a video of a Scottish teenager waving weapons was circulated as proof of migrants attacking women. Musk personally reshared the clip to tens of millions of viewers before police confirmed that no migrants were involved. Authorities later determined the claims were false.
Experts emphasize that only a small share of users create posts, while an even smaller group decides what content dominates. Their choices, made inside private companies, shape millions of people’s understanding of events. Researchers describe this as undemocratic since those decisions lack oversight or transparency.
Other platforms face similar challenges
While many users have moved from X to alternatives such as Bluesky, TikTok, or Meta’s platforms, misinformation and extremist messaging have simply shifted. Analysts note that far-right voices now use TikTok to reach younger audiences, confirming that the migration debate remains potent across social media.
Scholars recommend a straightforward approach: stop relying on a single platform for news. Use multiple sources and read beyond what algorithms choose to show. In European policy discussions and in conversations about how people immigrate to Denmark or move elsewhere, the difference between fact and fearmongering matters more than ever.
Sources and References
The Danish Dream: How to Immigrate to Denmark
The Danish Dream: Immigration and Labour Law in Denmark for Foreigners
TV2: “Kæmp imod eller dø” – vreden vælter ud af Musk, og det kan ses på din telefon
