An increasing number of social media users on X have chosen to block Tesla CEO Elon Musk following accusations of him disseminating harmful and misleading information.
The backlash was provoked by a report by the Center for Countering Digital Hate, which claimed that Musk had made 50 misleading or false statements since the beginning of 2024. These posts, viewed over 1.2 billion times, include a deepfake video showing US Vice President Kamala Harris referring to herself as the “ultimate diversity hire”
Musk’s posts were debunked by independent fact-checkers.
The X owner’s recent activity on his platform has also drawn attention from all quarters where he openly criticized the U.K government’s attempts to regulate social media in response to bigoted and racist riots fueled by false information.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer urged social media platforms to enforce laws against online incitement to violence. “Let me also say to large social media companies and those who run them: Violent disorder, clearly whipped up online, is a crime. It’s happening on your premises, and the law must be upheld everywhere.”
However, Elon Musk dismissed these concerns and tweeted “Civil war is inevitable” during the increasingly horrific riots in August.
The hashtag #BlockElonMusk began trending over the weekend as users began expressing their frustration with and sharing screenshots of blocking Musk, urging others to join them.
Think I’ve figured out a way to get @elonmusk out of British politics.
Pass it on. pic.twitter.com/H53H3vj8Bm
— Harry Eccles (@Heccles94) August 10, 2024
#BlockElonMusk https://t.co/Z6cmO3h7G4 pic.twitter.com/uFTWOfZkTz
— Ⓥegan Vie (@VeganVie2015) August 10, 2024
I’ve decided to #BlockElonMusk because of his lack of empathy for the Muslim community and the people in Gaza.
His arrogance supersedes his intelligence.
Besides, those hit really close to home for me Elon. pic.twitter.com/IppxFvbZD8
— Red Alert (@AlertsOnX) August 11, 2024
He may be the richest asshole in the world and he may on this platform, but I now don’t have to read the shit he posts. #BlockMusk #BlockElonMusk pic.twitter.com/s4ihl36PUr
— Ian Gosling (@VinylRevivalUK) August 11, 2024
I will always block extremists#blockelonmusk #blocked #elonmusk pic.twitter.com/di7kqanyVi
— Bernard Walton (@bernardwalton) August 11, 2024
This is going to be fun! Let’s do it!#blockelonmusk pic.twitter.com/GZXKbAYg6S
— Joseph Albarn (@AlbarnJoseph) August 10, 2024
The goal of this new online trend is to reduce Elon Musk’s reach across social media and contain his extremist rhetoric.
