Musk Disputes AI Over Wife Taunt to Aide

Elon Musk publicly disputed his own AI chatbot, Grok, after a bizarre exchange stemming from a post directed at Stephen Miller, a White House aide. The controversy began when Musk responded to Miller’s declaration of reclaiming America with a provocative statement – “Just like I took your wife.” This alludes to Katie Miller, Stephen Miller’s wife, recently leaving her White House position to join Musk’s team, fueling speculation about marital discord.

Initially, Grok, when questioned about the authenticity of Musk’s post, indicated it “likely existed and was deleted.” Musk swiftly refuted this, posting that the claim was “fake ffs” – an internet abbreviation for “for f***’s sake” – and asserting he never made the post. When asked directly if Musk had “taken” Stephen Miller’s wife, Grok later offered a more cautious response, stating there was “no credible evidence” to support such a claim.

This incident unfolds against a backdrop of increasing tension within the alliance between Musk and former President Donald Trump. Musk previously expressed “disappointment” with a bill proposed by Trump, arguing it contradicted the principles of fiscal responsibility championed by the cryptocurrency DOGE, and adding significantly to the national debt. Miller countered that limitations within Senate budget rules prevented the cuts Musk desired.

The exchange escalated into personal territory when Musk alleged Trump’s appearance in documents related to Jeffrey Epstein. Following this, Musk appeared to attempt reconciliation, sharing a post from Trump’s Truth Social platform regarding unrest in Los Angeles and re-following Miller on X after briefly unfollowing him.

The entire situation is remarkably peculiar. While political disagreements and online spats are commonplace, the involvement of an AI chatbot contradicting its creator, coupled with the highly personal nature of the initial jab, adds a layer of absurdity. It highlights the increasingly blurred lines between reality and online performance, particularly for figures like Musk who wield significant influence on social media. The incident also raises questions about the reliability of AI-generated information, even when originating from the creator of the AI itself. It’s a strange confluence of politics, personal drama, and the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence.