A group of conservative critics, including prominent Trump supporters, have accused Elon Musk of censorship on his platform X (formerly Twitter) after their verification badges were removed. The controversy follows their criticisms of Musk’s stance on H-1B visas for highly skilled foreign workers and broader discussions about immigration and culture.
The Dispute Over H-1B Visas
The debate started earlier this week when far-right activist Laura Loomer criticized a Trump administration appointee’s pro-H-1B views. Musk later weighed in, defending the visa program, stating that the U.S. needs more “talented” and “motivated” engineers, regardless of their country of origin.
Musk’s comments sparked backlash among some Trump supporters, who oppose the program, and escalated into accusations of censorship. Loomer, New York Young Republican Club President Gavin Wax, and InfoWars host Owen Shroyer claimed their verification badges were stripped after their criticisms of Musk and his ally, Vivek Ramaswamy.
Claims of Censorship
Loomer alleged she was being censored for speaking out against H-1B visas, calling it “anti-American behavior by tech oligarchs.” Wax questioned the removal of blue checkmarks, calling it “insane,” while Shroyer stated his account was “under review.”
The timing of these updates on Thursday night has raised questions, but verifying claims of censorship is challenging. Since Musk’s acquisition of X and significant staff reductions, the platform has struggled to provide transparency about moderation decisions.
Musk Responds
Although Musk has not directly addressed the allegations, he hinted at broader moderation policies. In a post shared hours before the accusations, Musk said X’s algorithm aims to “maximize unregretted user-seconds” and that accounts receiving a significant number of mutes or blocks from verified users would see reduced reach.
He added that accounts involved in coordinated spam attacks would be categorized as spam themselves. “Loomer is trolling for attention. Ignore,” Musk later posted on X.
Division in Conservative Circles
The controversy has fueled a divide among Trump supporters. Loomer, backed by figures like Steve Bannon, has used the debate to draw attention to alleged Big Tech biases. Meanwhile, Musk, once hailed by conservatives as a free speech advocate, now faces growing criticism from the same faction for his platform policies.
A History of Disputes on X
This isn’t the first time Musk has faced accusations of targeting critics. In 2023, X removed NPR’s verification badge and marked its links as “unsafe.” Independent journalist Ken Klippenstein’s account was also suspended after sharing sensitive documents related to a Trump campaign incident. However, it is worth pointing out that many of Loomer’s posts are laced with prejudice against people with Indian origin.
As the rift between Musk and segments of the MAGA movement deepens, it remains to be seen how this clash will impact Musk’s reputation among conservatives who once championed him. For now, the allegations of censorship on X underscore ongoing tensions in the intersection of Big Tech, politics, and free speech.
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