While Musk has undeniably done some major good, he deserved all the backlash for this terrible take.
Elon Musk, often lauded for championing free speech on X, faced significant and well-deserved backlash after an ill-conceived comment about Roger Ver.” Musk’s reply to a post asking, “When are we pardoning Roger Ver?” sparked outrage across the liberty-minded community. His response? “Roger Ver gave up his US citizenship. No pardon for Ver. Membership has its privileges”
While Musk has been praised for opposing censorship and restoring previously banned accounts, his flippant dismissal of Ver’s plight was a shocking misstep. Prominent voices on X, many of whom have been featured on The Free Thought Project podcast, were quick to call him out. They highlighted not only Musk’s misunderstanding of Ver’s situation but also the broader implications of selective prosecution and government overreach.
The backlash was swift. Former podcast guest and political activist Aaron Day didn’t mince words, explaining why Musk’s take completely missed the mark. In a detailed post, Day pointed out the real reason Ver renounced his citizenship: safety from government persecution. He tweeted:
“Roger Ver left the United States because he no longer felt safe holding libertarian political views, having already been targeted and imprisoned.
He could be far more valuable to America as an investor in American companies, fostering innovation and economic growth. With Trump addressing the very issues that drove Ver away, there’s a possibility he might consider returning to the U.S.
A pardon from Trump could right the wrongs of selective and malicious prosecution under the Biden administration and an unjust Executive Order 14067. It would pave the way for Ver to reinvest his talent and innovation into the United States, contributing to the nation’s prosperity.
Locking him away serves no purpose for America and hinders the advancement of the upcoming Golden Age”
Another former podcast guest, Martha Bueno, took aim at Musk’s apparent ignorance of the consequences of selective lawfare. Drawing parallels between Ver’s case and the potential for such tactics to target Musk in the future, Bueno tweeted:
“He gave up his citizenship because he knew the U.S. government wouldn’t protect him, and he was right.
Why is the U.S. going after a man for 109 years for paying his taxes?
This is a travesty and it’s insane that you could act so casually about it. Today you’re on team Trump, but 4 years from now you won’t be. Imagine if they did this to you.
This case is more than about one man, the DOJ violated his attorney client privilege. This will set a precedent for all future cases”
Musk’s dismissal also failed to acknowledge Ver’s broader contributions to financial freedom. Ver is a pioneer in cryptocurrency and a vocal critic of state control over currency. His advocacy for decentralization and economic liberty has made him a target of the federal government. As detailed by Aaron Day in his Brownstone Institute article, Ver’s indictment for alleged tax evasion and “money laundering” exemplifies how lawfare is used to silence dissent.
Sal the Agorist, another former podcast guest, brought up Ver’s earlier run-ins with the ATF as evidence of ongoing political persecution. Sal tweeted:
“He gave up his citizenship after the ATF ruined his life!
The ATF heard him discussing their WACO massacre at a campaign event so they vengefully charged with him sending explosives by mail when in fact he was selling fireworks!
Another clear case of lawfare!”
The precedent Ver’s case sets is chilling. As Aaron Day notes, the DOJ violated attorney-client privilege by seizing communications between Ver and his legal team. These records, which documented Ver’s meticulous efforts to comply with U.S. tax law, are now being used against him. This unprecedented breach threatens anyone who relies on professional counsel.
Even The Free Thought Project’s cofounder, Jason Bassler, weighed in, calling Musk’s comment a “Clown Take.” Bassler tweeted:
Roger Ver’s story isn’t just about one man; it’s about the weaponization of the state against those who challenge its authority. As Ver explained in a recent interview with Tucker Carlson, the government’s hostility stems not from tax issues but from his promotion of Bitcoin and his refusal to “kiss the ring” of state control. Ver’s advocacy for a decentralized financial system threatens the status quo, making him a prime target for political persecution.
While Musk’s actions on X have helped expose censorship and empower dissenting voices, his flippant response to Ver’s case reveals a troubling lack of understanding. Musk himself has been a victim of state interference, and as Martha Bueno pointed out, the precedent set in Ver’s case could easily be used against Musk in the future.
The liberty movement’s fight to expose lawfare and defend Roger Ver isn’t just about one man’s freedom. It’s about resisting the creeping tyranny of a government that weaponizes its legal system to silence dissent. As Day said, “Locking him away serves no purpose for America and hinders the advancement of the upcoming Golden Age.”
Supporters can take action by visiting FreeRogerNow.org to sign the open letter, stay informed, and share Ver’s story. Let’s ensure that Elon Musk’s misstep serves as a catalyst for greater awareness about the dangers of weaponized lawfare. It’s time to hold the government accountable and stand up for those fighting for freedom—because tomorrow, it could be any one of us.
#FreeRoger
