Elon Musk didn’t hold back on Monday, unleashing a fiery critique on his X platform against Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes. Musk's blunt statement called for de Moraes to be thrown behind bars, and his frustration was clear.
In his post from September 2, Musk declared, “De Moraes deserves prison for his crimes.” This strong language came on the heels of Brazil’s high court backing a ban on the social media platform. The temporary ban, which kicked in over the weekend, was sparked by Musk's failure to name a legal representative by the deadline. This case has been brewing for months, revolving around demands from Brazil for the suspension of certain accounts linked to investigations into digital militias accused of spreading misinformation and hate.
After a decision by de Moraes on Friday, a court panel quickly followed up on Monday, affirming the ban. Musk has been vocal about his disdain for de Moraes, repeatedly attacking him on X. He’s called for de Moraes’ impeachment, claiming he’s breached his oath of office and labeling him a “dictator.” Musk’s rhetoric also included a scathing comparison: “Now, the tyrant de Voldemort is crushing the people’s right to free speech.”
But the drama doesn’t stop there. The court has also taken a significant step by freezing the financial accounts of Starlink, a satellite internet provider that’s 40% owned by Musk. This move came after de Moraes’ order to halt X’s operations in Brazil until various court mandates were met, including paying a hefty fine of 18.5 million reais (about $3.28 million) and appointing a legal representative within the country.
Musk and X allege that de Moraes is pushing for the appointment of a legal representative just to create an opportunity for authorities to arrest someone. The ramifications are huge for the tens of millions of Brazilians who rely on X for their social media needs. With the platform suspended, users in Brazil are scrambling to find alternative ways to stay connected.
This situation underscores a significant clash between tech giants and national regulations. The impact on users is immediate and severe—many are left in the lurch, trying to adapt to a sudden shift in their online communication landscape. As the legal and financial battles unfold, the stakes are high for both Musk and the millions who rely on X for their daily interactions.
Login