Elon Musk’s rebranded social media platform X (formerly Twitter) is embroiled in fresh controversy as new federal directives clash with user freedoms. The billionaire’s latest collaboration with the Trump administration has triggered a storm of criticism, with experts calling it a “dangerous precedent” for digital governance.
Since Musk’s $44 billion acquisition in 2022, X has faced escalating scrutiny over content moderation policies. Recent updates reveal that all federal employees will soon receive compliance emails under a Department of Government Efficiency initiative led by Musk. Critics argue this move blurs the line between government oversight and corporate control, particularly after Musk’s appointment as a senior White House advisor in January 2025.
Internal data leaked this week shows hate speech reports increased 47% year-over-year following Musk’s decision to reinstate over 60,000 previously banned accounts. Despite this, X claims monthly active users grew to 398 million globally—a 12% spike attributed to controversial new features like paid blue checks and AI-generated trending topics.
The platform’s latest shakeup includes:
- A 30% staff reduction in trust and safety teams
- Algorithmic prioritization of “government-aligned narratives”
- Mandatory identity verification for political commentators
Musk defended the changes in a February 22 post: “X remains committed to free speech while fulfilling our civic responsibilities”. However, civil liberties groups have filed three lawsuits this month alone, alleging First Amendment violations through shadow-banning of critics.
Financial analysts note X’s valuation has plummeted to $19 billion—less than half its purchase price—as major advertisers like Coca-Cola and Pfizer continue boycotts. Meanwhile, Musk’s net worth hit $397 billion, fueled by Tesla stock rebounds and SpaceX’s recent NASA contracts.
The platform’s integration of Dogecoin payments and plans for an “X.AI” chatbot have done little to quell concerns. As regulatory pressure mounts globally, industry watchers predict X could face an EU ban unless policy reversals occur before Q3 2025.
