Elon Musk joins Trump allies in House GOP pressure campaign over social media bill
Allies of President-elect Trump are ramping up pressure on House leaders to take up legislation that would overhaul how social media companies handle users under the age of 18. With only two weeks left in this congressional term, time is running out to pass the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA).
Elon Musk, a key figure in Trump’s inner circle, is among those pushing for the legislation. His company X has been involved in discussions to reshape the bill in order to address concerns about certain provisions. The KOSA overwhelmingly passed the Senate earlier this year in a 91-3 vote but has faced resistance in the House of Representatives.
House Speaker Mike Johnson and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, both Republicans from Louisiana, have expressed reservations about the bill. They are concerned that it could give too much power to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and potentially lead to censorship of certain viewpoints.
In a statement on the X platform, X CEO Linda Yaccarino expressed support for the KOSA, emphasizing the need for sensible guardrails across online platforms to protect minors while preserving freedom of speech. Musk echoed this sentiment, stating that protecting kids should always be a top priority. Donald Trump Jr. and former press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders have also voiced their support for the legislation.
The bill’s sponsors, Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), thanked Musk and Yaccarino for their endorsement and for working on revisions to address concerns about free speech and censorship. They emphasized the overwhelming support for the bill in Congress and urged the House to pass it before the end of the year.
Despite the push from Trump allies and advocates for the KOSA, House leaders remain cautious. Scalise has raised concerns about giving power to unelected bureaucrats, while Johnson has pointed out problematic details in the bill. A senior House GOP aide expressed skepticism about the bill getting a vote in the final two weeks of the congressional term.
The KOSA is a significant piece of legislation aimed at holding social media companies accountable for protecting users under 18. It would require platforms to prevent and mitigate potential harm to minors, block addictive components, and enhance privacy protections for young users.
As the clock ticks down on the congressional term, the fate of the Kids Online Safety Act remains uncertain. Supporters continue to press for a House vote, but it remains to be seen if the bill will make it to the floor before the end of the year. Stay tuned for updates on this important legislation as the deadline approaches.
