1. United States
2. Fla.
3. Letter

The influence wielded by Elon Musk over the legislative process through his X platform is deeply concerning and threatens the democratic foundations of our government. His inflammatory posts urging the rejection of the spending bill and threatening punishment for those who support it undermine the checks and balances fundamental to a healthy political system. No individual, regardless of wealth or platform, should hold such sway over elected representatives. I urge measures to be taken to prevent social media platforms from being exploited in this manner to subvert the democratic process. The ability of legislators to carry out their duties free from undue outside influence must be safeguarded. While public discourse is vital, Musk's actions crossed a line that jeopardizes the integrity of our institutions. Legislation or regulatory action curtailing such abuses of power on social media may be necessary to preserve the independence of our government from the whims of billionaires and corporations.