Tesla and SpaceX chief executive Elon Musk recently fanned outrage when, in a tweet, he stood behind conservative commentator Ben Shapiro's fundraising effort in a quest for the pardon of the convicted former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. Rapper Offset was among the people who strongly opposed Elon Musk's tweet and wrote on Instagram,
"Racist b*tch playing in black folks faces"
Have a look at the post below.
Chauvin had been convicted for his role in the 2020 murder of George Floyd, which resulted in widespread protests and police reform and racial justice controversy. The following post by Musk on his platform X (formerly Twitter) contains Shapiro's argument.
It was his entering into the matter that elicited a fiery reaction from both those who support and oppose him, with many expressing curiosity as to why he had intervened on an issue so contested. Some readers saw Musk's tweet as conveying support for the argument in favour of Chauvin's release, while some saw it as a deliberate play at stirring conversation.
Offset Responds to Musk's Tweet
Rapper Offset was among those who strongly opposed Musk's tweet. The artist, popular for his direct remarks on political and social matters, took to social media to express his outrage.
He shared a story on his Instagram:

"Elon Musk playing in black folks faces. Crazy work smh!!!"
Offset's response quickly trended as the majority of the users concurred with his stand and echoed his sentiments. The response captured the ongoing tension surrounding Floyd's death and Chauvin's legal consequences.
Understanding the Pardon Debate
The controversy of the conviction of Derek Chauvin is a contentious issue. Ben Shapiro, in an X video he uploaded on his profile, claimed that Chauvin's trial was unfair because it was influenced by public scrutiny and media agendas.
He also suggests in the video that Floyd's underlying health before his death, along with alleged drug use, contributed to his passing and questions whether Chauvin received a fair trial.
However, the judicial process found Chauvin guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and state and federal courts affirmed the convictions. Prosecutors had sufficient evidence in the way of video recordings and expert witnesses, which persuaded the jury to reach the verdict.
Chauvin was found guilty of second-degree murder and was sentenced to 22.5 years in state prison and was given another 21 years in federal prison for the abuse of Floyd's civil rights.
Can Trump Pardon Chauvin?
Perhaps the most common question generated by this scandal is whether President Donald Trump can pardon Chauvin. The U.S. Constitution allows the president the power to pardon federal crimes. In Chauvin's case, that would mean Trump may be able to pardon his 21-year sentence in federal prison.
However, this would not impact Chauvin's state conviction of second-degree murder, which is punished by a 22.5-year sentence. Even if he were pardoned by the government, Chauvin would remain in state prison. As reported by Startribune.com, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison had some remarks regarding the subject, mentioning
" murdered George Floyd in front of the whole world. The only conceivable purpose would be to express yet more disrespect for George Floyd and more disrespect for the rule of law."
Public Reaction and Social Implications
Offset's diss of Musk is rooted in a broader argument on justice, accountability, and the employment of powerful figures to shape narrative. The murder of Floyd created a watershed moment in conversations about racial injustice, police reform, and ingrained disparities, rendering Chauvin's conviction sensitive to talk about.
Musk's tweet, whether intended to sanction or just stir up controversy, has added to the prevailing discussion. His supporters think that the issue of judicial impartiality should not be closed, whereas others find any suggestion of a pardon an attempt to downplay the severity of the case.
As the controversy surrounding this case is ongoing, the reactions of individuals like Offset help to paint a picture of the emotions and complexity surrounding the death of Floyd and its related legal proceedings.
Also read: Elon Musk denies being a N*zi and defends the viral salute video

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