- Rev. Steve Caudle called for violence against Elon Musk during a sermon, accusing him of threatening Social Security and Americans' personal data.
- Caudle’s baseless claims and dangerous rhetoric have drawn widespread condemnation, including calls for his resignation.
- Musk dismissed the accusations, suggesting Caudle’s remarks may be an attempt to deflect from potential wrongdoing.
- Caudle has a history of divisive sermons, including support for violent actions during the George Floyd protests.
- Caudle’s behavior betrays Christian principles and highlights the dangers of extremism in religious leadership.
In a shocking a sermon delivered Sunday at Greater Second Missionary Baptist Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Rev. Steve Caudle called for violence against billionaire Elon Musk, accusing him of threatening Americans’ Social Security benefits and personal data.
Caudle’s remarks, which included claims that Musk is “forcing his way into the U.S. Treasury,” have drawn widespread condemnation for their dangerous rhetoric and baseless accusations. The pastor’s sermon, steeped in conspiracy theories and incitement, has raised serious concerns about the role of religious leaders in promoting division and violence.
Caudle, who has a history of making politically charged statements, framed his call for violence as a necessary response to Musk’s alleged actions.
“No one likes violence, but sometimes violence is necessary,” Caudle told his congregation. “When Elon Musk forces his way into the U.S. Treasury and threatens to steal your personal information and your Social Security check, there is a possibility of violence. Sometimes the devil will act so ugly that you have no other choice but to get violent and fight.”
These remarks, which were met with silence from the congregation, have since gone viral, prompting outrage from both the public and political leaders. Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp called for Caudle’s immediate resignation from the Chattanooga Planning Commission, stating, “Totally unacceptable for Rev. Caudle to use the pulpit to justify violence against the Trump Administration and Elon Musk. Hateful rhetoric has no place in Hamilton County, especially from a pastor.”
Baseless claims and dangerous rhetoric
Caudle’s accusations against Musk are not only unfounded but also absurd. Musk, who heads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has been working to streamline federal spending and eliminate waste. Yet Caudle portrayed these efforts as a sinister plot to “take over the nation” and steal from Americans. His claims about Musk threatening Social Security benefits are entirely fabricated, with no evidence to support them.
Musk responded to the controversy on X, writing, “This tells me that he is trying to hide MASSIVE fraud.” The billionaire’s comment suggests that Caudle’s inflammatory rhetoric may be an attempt to deflect attention from his own questionable actions.
Caudle’s sermon also included references to global conflicts, such as the wars in Gaza and Ukraine, to justify his call for violence. “We live in a world that is violent,” he said. “In this nation, I’m worried that we are on the verge of bloodshed.” By equating Musk’s efforts to cut wasteful spending with acts of war, Caudle has crossed a line that no public figure, let alone a pastor, should ever approach.
A pattern of divisive behavior
This is not the first time Caudle has used his pulpit to promote divisive rhetoric. He is part of a network of black pastors who have been accused of inciting violence during the George Floyd riots in 2020. In a sermon following Floyd’s death, Caudle lamented that many Christians were unaware of systemic racism and defended the Black Lives Matter movement, which has been linked to widespread violence and destruction.
Caudle’s history of politicizing his sermons raises serious questions about his motives. His latest remarks are not only a blatant incitement to violence but also a betrayal of the principles of peace and compassion that Christianity is supposed to uphold. As one social media user aptly put it, “A ‘pastor’ calling for conflict and violence from the pulpit is absolutely non-Christian behavior.”
Rev. Steve Caudle’s call for violence against Elon Musk is a disturbing example of how some religious leaders are exploiting their platforms to spread fear, division and hatred. His baseless claims and dangerous rhetoric have no place in a civilized society, let alone in a house of worship. As public figures, pastors have a responsibility to promote unity and understanding, not to incite violence and spread conspiracy theories. Caudle’s actions should serve as a wake-up call to all Americans about the dangers of allowing extremism to infiltrate our religious and political discourse.
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