Brazil’s recent actions against X (formerly known as Twitter) highlight a growing global sentiment: the world doesn’t have to tolerate Elon Musk’s far-right agenda.
This message was strongly echoed by Brazil’s President, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who emphasized that Musk’s wealth doesn’t exempt him from accountability.
In a conversation with CNN Brasil, Lula expressed hope that the crisis surrounding X in Brazil—a key market for the platform—would send a message to the rest of the world.
According to him, Musk’s influence should not give him a free pass to disregard the rules of any country.
Supreme Court Steps In
The Brazilian Supreme Court took a decisive step on Friday by initiating a nationwide shutdown of X after Musk failed to comply with a legal request.
Specifically, the platform did not name a legal representative for Brazil.
The court upheld this decision unanimously on Monday, enforcing the ban.
X had also refused to follow a court order to shut down profiles accused of spreading misinformation before the platform was banned.
This decision sparked outrage among supporters of former far-right president Jair Bolsonaro, who organized protests against the ban.
Musk and Bolsonaro’s Alliance
Elon Musk, who has shown support for Bolsonaro in the past, used X to promote these protests.
The march aimed to rally Brazilians in defense of free speech and against what they perceived as judicial overreach.
Musk’s involvement in the situation further escalated tensions between him and one of the key figures behind the ban, Supreme Court judge Alexandre de Moraes.
Musk and de Moraes have been at odds over issues of free speech, far-right content, and misinformation for some time.
The latest ban is just one chapter in their ongoing conflict, with Musk amplifying calls for protests that challenge de Moraes’ authority.
Internet Blackout and Legal Ramifications
By Saturday, internet service providers across Brazil, home to 215 million people, had blocked access to X.
Major news outlets in the country also ceased posting on the platform.
Musk, furious at the decision, took to X to criticize de Moraes, comparing him to a villain from the Harry Potter series.
De Moraes stood firm, stating that X would remain banned until it complies with orders to shut down certain profiles and appoint a legal representative in Brazil.
He also imposed daily fines on individuals or companies using virtual private networks (VPNs) to access the platform.
The Brazilian Bar Association announced plans to challenge these fines, arguing that penalizing citizens for using VPNs to access X was excessive.
This situation has left many, including political science professor Maurício Santoro, feeling that Brazil is entering dystopian territory.
A Heated Legal Battle
The conflict between Musk and de Moraes escalated earlier this year when the judge ordered X to block accounts spreading fake news and hate speech linked to Bolsonaro’s government.
Musk’s resistance to these orders led to a legal inquiry against him.
While X initially promised to comply with court orders, the platform’s response has been inconsistent.
Musk’s legal team cited operational issues as the reason some blocked accounts remained active, leading to further tensions with the court.
Last week, de Moraes warned that X would face a nationwide ban if it failed to appoint a legal representative in Brazil.
When the platform declined, de Moraes took action, even freezing the assets of Musk’s company Starlink Holding in Brazil to ensure compliance with court-imposed fines.
Musk’s Public Outcry
Elon Musk did not take these actions lightly.
He responded on X, calling de Moraes a “criminal” and accusing him of overstepping his authority.
Musk’s remarks also targeted President Lula, labeling him de Moraes’ “lapdog.”
Despite the heated rhetoric, de Moraes remained focused on upholding Brazil’s democratic values.
In a rare public statement, he emphasized that those who violate fundamental rights, whether in person or on social media, must face consequences.
As the legal battle continues, the world watches to see how Brazil’s actions against X and Musk will influence global discussions on the power and responsibility of social media platforms.
TDPel Media
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