Elon Musk gets nominated for Nobel Peace Prize for defending free speech, Internet says 'what a joke'

OSLO, NORWAY: When a Norwegian parliament member nominated billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk for the Nobel Peace Prize this week, it sparked an immediate wave of backlash and ridicule across social media platforms.

Musk earned the nomination for his "defense of free speech" in acquiring X (formerly Twitter) and providing internet connectivity to Ukraine via SpaceX's Starlink system, as reported by the New York Post.

However, Musk's controversial leadership and past comments have fueled intense skepticism of his worthiness for the honor. The internet swiftly reacted with mockery and critique upon hearing that one of the world's most unpredictable billionaires could soon be a Nobel Laureate.

Elon Musk's name was put forward for Nobel Peace Prize by libertarian Marius Nilsen

Musk's name was put forward for the Nobel Peace Prize by Marius Nilsen, a member of Norway's libertarian Progress Party. Nilsen praised Musk as a "stout proponent for free speech" for his leadership of the social media platform X, which Musk acquired in late 2022 for $44 billion.

Nilsen commended Musk's "adamant defense of dialogue, free speech and [enabling] the possibility to express one's views" in an "increasingly polarized world." Since taking over the platform, Musk has restored previously banned accounts, like that of former President Donald Trump.

In his nomination letter, Nilsen also highlighted Musk's provision of Starlink satellite terminals to Ukrainian forces following Russia's invasion in early 2022. He argued that Musk's various technology companies have "helped make the world a more connected and safer place."

Elon Musk joins history of unconventional Nobel Peace Prize nominees put forward

However, Musk's claims of championing free expression on X have drawn skepticism. Advertisers fled the platform following a report that accused X of allowing pro-Nazi content under Musk's management.

Musk himself also stoked anger by appearing to agree with an antisemitic post blaming Jewish people for non-white immigration. Despite denying being antisemitic himself, Musk filed a lawsuit against the liberal watchdog group Media Matters over its report about X.

Musk joins a history of unconventional Nobel Peace Prize nominees put forward by Norwegian officials. In 2020, another Progress Party member of parliament nominated then-US President Trump. That nomination cited Trump's role in the Abraham Accords diplomacy between Israel and two Arab nations.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee decides each year's Peace Prize winner from hundreds of nominations submitted. The nomination period runs through March, with the winner announced in October.

Internet trolls Elon Musk

Amid the revelation of Musk's surprising Nobel Peace Prize nomination, the internet swiftly erupted in a cascade of skepticism and mockery. One user on the X platform succinctly stated, "What a joke."

Meanwhile, another user questioned the legitimacy of the situation, pondering, "Is this is a joke?" A third individual opted for brevity, expressing their amusement with a simple "LOL." Another user remarked, "While blocking people."

A fifth user contributed to the chorus of laughter with a straightforward "Hahaha!" Finally, a sixth user added a touch of irony, stating, "By censoring X."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.