Blue state congressman claims he's against noncitizens voting but then tries to block law preventing it

Fox News - Apr 15th, 2025

New York Democratic Representative Tom Suozzi has publicly refuted claims made by Elon Musk regarding noncitizens voting in local elections in New York City. Suozzi labeled Musk's assertions as a 'myth' and 'completely inaccurate,' highlighting a recent discussion on 'The Joe Rogan Experience' where Musk alleged that Democrats are turning illegal aliens into registered voters. This debate arose after the passage of the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which Suozzi opposed, that restricts federal voting rights to fully legal U.S. residents.

The backdrop of this controversy is a broader political discourse on the voting rights of noncitizens, particularly in liberal areas like New York City, where a 2022 ordinance briefly allowed noncitizens to vote in municipal elections before being overturned. Suozzi's opposition is part of a larger narrative about the perceived manipulation of voter rolls, a claim Musk supports by pointing to similar practices in California. The situation underscores the polarized nature of immigration and voting rights debates in the U.S., with significant political and social implications for future elections.

Elon Musk Democratic Party Republican Party Joe Rogan Noncitizen Voting Save Act Tom Suozzi Nyc Elections

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RATING

5.4

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The article tackles a timely and controversial issue, engaging readers with its focus on noncitizen voting and the involvement of prominent figures like Elon Musk and Rep. Tom Suozzi. It presents multiple perspectives, albeit with a slight imbalance in favor of Suozzi's rebuttal, and lacks comprehensive evidence to support some of the claims. The article is clear and readable, making it accessible to a broad audience, but suffers from a lack of transparency and source quality. This affects its overall accuracy, as several claims remain unverified. Despite these weaknesses, the article is likely to spark discussion and influence public opinion on a significant political issue. It effectively captures attention but would benefit from more thorough context and evidence to enhance its reliability and impact.

Accuracy

The story presents several claims that require careful verification. For instance, Elon Musk's assertion that 600,000 illegal aliens are registered to vote in New York lacks supporting evidence, making it potentially inaccurate. The article also discusses a New York City ordinance allowing certain noncitizens to vote, which was later overturned by courts. This claim is partially accurate but needs more context about the legal proceedings and outcomes. Rep. Tom Suozzi's rebuttal to Musk's claims is presented, but the article does not provide independent verification of his statements. Overall, while the article includes factual elements, it also contains unverified claims that impact its overall accuracy.

Balance

The article attempts to present multiple perspectives by including statements from Rep. Tom Suozzi, Elon Musk, and representatives from political parties. However, it leans towards portraying Musk's claims as controversial without providing a thorough examination of the evidence supporting or refuting them. Suozzi's perspective is highlighted, but the article does not explore the broader implications or viewpoints from other stakeholders, such as legal experts or voting rights advocates. This results in a somewhat imbalanced presentation, with a stronger emphasis on political contention rather than a comprehensive analysis of the issue.

Clarity

The article is generally clear in its language and structure, making it accessible to a broad audience. It outlines the main points in a straightforward manner, with clear attributions to the individuals involved. However, the lack of detailed context and supporting evidence for some claims may lead to confusion among readers seeking a deeper understanding of the issue. Despite this, the article maintains a neutral tone and logical flow, aiding overall comprehension.

Source quality

The article relies on statements from high-profile figures like Elon Musk and Rep. Tom Suozzi, which adds some credibility. However, it lacks attribution to independent sources or experts who could provide a more nuanced understanding of noncitizen voting laws and practices. The absence of data or studies to support the claims made by either side weakens the source quality. Additionally, the article does not cite any legal documents or court rulings related to the New York City ordinance, which would have bolstered its credibility.

Transparency

The article does not sufficiently disclose the basis for many of the claims made, particularly those by Elon Musk. It lacks detailed explanations of the legal and policy contexts surrounding noncitizen voting, which are crucial for understanding the issue. The article also fails to clarify the methodology behind the figures cited, such as the alleged number of noncitizen voters. This lack of transparency makes it difficult for readers to assess the validity of the claims and understand the broader context.