It’s Time To Move On From Elon & Let Him Tweet To Himself
X Is Not A Free Speech Platform, It’s Elon Musk’s Personal Blog Now
X is not a free speech platform, no matter what Elon Musk said. Elon Musk has repeatedly positioned X (formerly Twitter) as the ultimate platform for free speech. However, his actions and policies paint a very different picture. From suppressing “negative” content to allowing large accounts to act as gatekeepers, X has consistently failed to uphold the principles of free speech.
This article explores the key reasons why X is not a free speech platform and highlights how its policies distort public discourse instead of protecting it.
Elon Musk’s Contradictory Vision & Why X Is Not A Free Speech Platform
Elon Musk calls himself a “free speech absolutist,” yet his policies often contradict this claim. For example, Musk has openly stated that X will suppress “negative” content in favor of “educational” and “informational” material. This distinction is inherently subjective—what Musk considers negative might be essential critique in a democratic society.
Moreover, there have been allegations that criticism of Musk’s own companies, like Tesla and X itself, has been muted or deprioritized. When the platform owner decides what speech is acceptable, free speech becomes a selective privilege rather than a universal right.
X Is Not A Free Speech Platform, It’s A Bad Social Media Website
The First Amendment protects citizens from government censorship, not private corporations. This means X, as a private platform, has no legal obligation to uphold free speech. However, private companies can still support free speech by providing frameworks that elevate voices impartially. For example:
- UPS delivers letters to Congress without discriminating against the message.
- Billboard companies display paid messages without filtering based on ideology, as long as they are not overtly offensive.
X, on the other hand, has failed to create a neutral framework for speech. Its policies prioritize paid users (e.g., Twitter Blue subscribers) and advertiser-friendly content, making it clear that profit, not free speech, is the driving force behind the platform’s decisions.
Algorithms That Distort Consensus Are Very Costly
X’s algorithms do not prioritize fairness or equality—they prioritize engagement. This means sensationalism, outrage, and clickbait dominate the conversation and bury thoughtful or balanced discourse.
Additionally, X fails to provide transparency about how it moderates or surfaces content. Users remain in the dark about why some posts gain traction while others disappear. Without clear guidelines or a commitment to neutrality, the platform manipulates public discourse instead of facilitating it.
Proxy Censorship by Large Accounts Has Been A Big Problem None of Us Knew About Until Elon Opened His Big Mouth
One of the most glaring issues with X is how large accounts can effectively “censor” smaller ones. Elon Musk recently revealed that users with significant followings can mute or block smaller accounts, which devalues their content in the algorithm. This creates a system where influential users, including celebrities, corporations, or even foreign adversaries, can silence dissenting voices without ever engaging in debate.
Joe Rogan has proudly announced that he hasn’t engaged in comments on Twitter for years. He is undeservedly at the top of the podcast game. Having been on Twitter since 2008, he has been in a position to have an adverse impact on the algorithm including prioritizing horrifying content over actual news. The fact that he could soon be at White House press briefings is an abomination.
This practice undermines the principle that the antidote to bad speech is more speech. Instead, it creates an uneven playing field where those with the most followers act as de facto moderators, suppressing speech they dislike rather than addressing it.
Monetized Speech Cannot Trample Unfunded Free Speech
On X, paying for premium features like Twitter Blue gives users algorithmic boosts, meaning their content is more likely to be seen. This creates a pay-to-play environment where wealthier voices have more influence than those without financial resources.
True free speech doesn’t require a subscription. It ensures that all voices—rich or poor, famous or unknown—are heard equally. Furthermore, X lacks transparency around monetized content, making it difficult for users to discern whether speech is genuine or sponsored by corporations or political entities.
X Marks The Spot Free Speech Goes To Die
The pun in this image is that the notion of X as a free speech platform – is a lie. Despite Elon Musk’s claims, X is far from being a free speech platform. From algorithmic manipulation to proxy censorship and the prioritization of monetized speech, X’s policies distort the marketplace of ideas rather than protecting it.
If we want to preserve free speech in the digital age, we need platforms that prioritize equality, neutrality, and transparency. Until then, X will remain a platform where speech is curated, controlled, and often silenced—not free.
