Elon Musk describes IRA as "plush toy" in bizarre Twitter exchange

IrishCentral Staff

Controversial billionaire Elon Musk described the IRA as a "plush toy" during a bizarre online exchange about Ireland's immigration policy on his social media platform X, formerly Twitter.

In response to a post by a rightwing Malaysian commentator criticizing Ireland's immigration policy, Musk said the IRA used to be "hardcore" but is now as "scary as a plush toy". "Ireland got big mad with the English for coming in some decades ago," the commentator wrote, before commenting on the Irish Government's immigration policy.

"Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. The Irish Republic Army was so hardcore, but now they’re as scary as a plush toy," Musk replied.

Musk's reply, sent on Monday night, has been viewed more than 280,000 times.

In a separate post responding to footage of an anti-immigration march in Dublin on Monday, Musk proclaimed that the Irish people were "standing up for themselves". Monday's reference to the IRA was also not the first time that Musk has referenced the dissident republican group.

In a post last year, the Tesla and X CEO referenced the IRA in a post commenting on US inflation.

"Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) vs Irish Republican Army (IRA ). Which is actually harder, defeating inflation or defeating the British?" Musk said. Musk was referencing a landmark piece of legislation signed into law in August 2022 that seeks to curb inflation by reducing the deficit, lowering prescription drug prices, and investing in domestic energy production.

In November 2023, Musk claimed that then-Taoiseach Leo Varadkar "hates the Irish people" aft er Varadkar announced new legislation to combat hate speech following a violent antiimmigrant riot in Dublin.

In a post about two defeated referendums held in Ireland in March, Musk claimed that the "current Irish Government does not represent the people of Ireland".