An Indiana man has been arrested for allegedly making threats toward billionaire and Donald Trump ally Elon Musk on X, formerly Twitter. Authorities identified the suspect as 28-year-old David Allen June Cherry, who now faces a felony charge of intimidation, the Indiana State Police confirmed in a Facebook post.
The investigation began early Tuesday when law enforcement in Texas alerted Indiana authorities about an X account linked to Cherry that allegedly posted threats against Musk earlier this month. Officers later arrested Cherry in Clarksville, a town near the Indiana-Kentucky border, without incident. He was taken to the Sellersburg Post for questioning before being transported to the Harrison County Jail, where he remains held without bond.
A subsequent search of Cherry’s home in Palmyra uncovered an AR-15-style rifle, a handgun, ammunition, and a ballistic vest, according to police. While the press release did not disclose the specific threats made, Indiana law defines level five intimidation as involving the threat of using a deadly weapon, carrying a potential sentence of up to six years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Musk, the owner of SpaceX, Tesla, and X, has become an increasingly prominent figure in Trump’s administration, leading the controversial Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an initiative aimed at reducing federal spending. His new government role has sparked lawsuits and backlash, with critics accusing Trump of giving him “unchecked” power.
On Tuesday, a federal judge denied a request from 14 Democratic-led states to block DOGE from accessing government data or firing employees.
The arrest fueled intense online debate, with users on both sides weighing in on the situation. Some pointed to the suspect’s background, with one person posting, "Of course it's a dude from Indiana that also looks like he's from Indiana." Others blamed political rhetoric, arguing, "The left’s rhetoric is out of control. They scream about ‘democracy’ while openly encouraging violence."
Of course it's a dude from Indiana that also looks like he's from Indiana
— Russell (@TheLeftIsWeird) February 19, 2025
The left’s rhetoric is out of control. They scream about “democracy” while openly encouraging violence.
— SPLINTER BRIEF (@SplinterBrief) February 19, 2025
Conservative voices took a harsher stance, with one user stating, "ABOUT TIME! We have had enough of these mad and crazy leftists. They’re a cancer to our society." Another added, "The Blue states have such violent hateful people."
ABOUT TIME! We have had enough of these mad and crazy leftists. They’re a cancer to our society.
— Spartan Mindset (@FearlessHoplite) February 19, 2025
The Blue states have such violent hateful people
— Charlotte Ebert (@C4bert92) February 19, 2025
As Musk’s influence in Washington grows, security concerns around him have intensified, making the latest incident another example of the heightened tensions surrounding his political and business dealings.
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