Elon Musk told Katie Miller he has largely avoided ordinary public outings since the September assassination of TPUSA founder Charlie Kirk, saying crowds and "selfie" lines create immediate security risks. He described the incident as putting his life "on hardcore mode," where a single error can be fatal. Musk also criticized the ADL after it listed TPUSA in a glossary of extremism; the ADL later retired that glossary, saying some entries were misused. The exchange underscores growing concerns about rhetoric, labeling and safety for public figures.
Elon Musk Says He Avoids Public Outings After Charlie Kirk’s Assassination, Citing Serious Security Risks
Charlie Kirk speaks at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, 2025 in Orem, Utah, prior to his assassination.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk told interviewer Katie Miller that heightened security concerns have largely kept him from making ordinary public appearances since the September assassination of Turning Point USA (TPUSA) founder Charlie Kirk.
Speaking on "The Katie Miller Podcast," Musk said Kirk’s killing intensified the need for personal protection and made routine outings — even something as simple as a shopping trip — far more difficult from a security standpoint.
Miller, who is married to White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller, asked when Musk last managed an "extremely ordinary" activity like visiting a Target store. Musk replied that he "can't go to things where there's the general public because there's an immediate, 'Can I have a selfie,' line that forms," and added, "These days — particularly in light of Charlie Kirk's murder, there are serious security issues. It's not that I don't want to. I simply can't."
"It certainly reinforced the severity of the situation where life is on hardcore mode," Musk told Miller. "You make one mistake, and you're dead … it only takes one mistake."
Context: ADL Controversy and a Retired Glossary
In the wake of Kirk's death, Musk publicly urged cooler rhetoric in politics and criticized the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) after it listed TPUSA in a "Glossary of Extremism and Hate." The ADL's entry had placed TPUSA under a "Center of Extremism" tag and cited alleged ties to a range of right-wing extremists and controversial statements by some members or event speakers.
After backlash from Musk and some lawmakers, the ADL said on September 30 that it was retiring the glossary, acknowledging that "a number of entries [were] intentionally misrepresented and misused" and promising to explore new ways to present research while reaffirming its mission to fight antisemitism and other forms of hate.
Why It Matters
Musk's comments highlight concerns among high-profile figures about personal safety and the practical limits of public engagement amid heightened political tensions. The dispute over labeling organizations and the ADL's decision to remove the glossary have also intensified debate about rhetoric, accountability and public safety for leaders and activists.
