Increasing numbers of users on X platform have opted to #BlockElonMusk, formerly known as Twitter. This move comes in the wake of allegations against him for spreading false information and contributing to online unrest.
This reaction follows a report by the Center for Countering Digital Hate that claims Musk has made 50 statements that contradict or are false since last year began. These stories received more than 1.2 billion views including a deepfake piece showing US Vice President Kamala Harris referring to herself as “the ultimate diversity hire.”
It was Musk’s recent activities on X that brought him under scrutiny especially when he openly criticized the UK government’s effort to regulate social media after riots caused by misinformation. British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has been vocal about the need for social media platforms to take responsibility for content that leads to violence. “Violent disorder, clearly whipped up online, is a crime. It’s happening on your premises and the law must be upheld everywhere,” Starmer warned.
However, during August unrest, Musk tweeted his dismissal of these claims: “Civil war is inevitable…” He criticized UK immigration policies afterwards as well. Furthermore, calling for support of ‘freedom of speech in the UK!’ and asking whether Britain was starting to look like the Soviet Union.
At some point over this weekend, #BlockElonMusk began trending on X as people shared their anger through screenshots taken while blocking Musk. A user said “I am just an ordinary human but I cannot stand his dangerous nonsense.” Another one remarked, “it had to be done; he is spiraling out with his buddy Trump- maybe people are finally waking up these manipulators.”
A third user encouraged others by saying “I blocked Elon Musk. Join me and reduce his reach.”
