Profiting from Propaganda: U.S. Lawmakers Challenge X Chief Musk

In a bold confrontation, 27 U.S. Democratic lawmakers have taken issue with the X platform, under the new stewardship of Elon Musk, for allegedly monetizing accounts that endorse violence against Israelis. The legislators penned a pointed letter to Musk and X CEO Linda Yaccarino, detailing their alarm at how X Premium users seemingly glorify aggression.

The heart of their concern lies in documented observations from nonprofits, revealing that X harbours users who openly celebrate violent acts against Israelis. This grievance escalates the ongoing strife between Musk, who rebranded Twitter as X after his acquisition and advocates for stringent content regulation. In a retaliatory move, X has initiated legal action against Media Matters, accusing the watchdog of slander following their report, which linked primary brand advertisements to pro-Nazi content.

Lawmakers assert, “These reports demonstrated that X is profiting from the spread of this gruesome and harmful propaganda through account subscription fees and ad revenue.” The incendiary content, they contend, persists on the platform even after being reported.

Despite requests, X’s response to these allegations is pending. The legislators underscored X’s financial gains, not just from subscriptions but also from ads intertwined with both Premium and standard posts. They also highlighted the ongoing exodus of advertisers due to Musk’s polarizing remarks and his reduced content moderation staff.

Emphasizing the legal implications, the lawmakers reminded that the U.S. has outlawed material support to Hamas, designated as a terrorist organization since 1997. They leave no room for interpretation, stating that Hamas-branded content violates this statute.

The debate over X’s content policies and Musk’s management continues to simmer, raising critical questions about the intersection of free speech and the responsibility to curb harmful propaganda.

The letter from the U.S. lawmakers is a stark reminder of the complexities and responsibilities of managing social media platforms. As X navigates the troubled waters of content moderation under Musk’s leadership, the broader implications for social media ethics and legal compliance remain under intense scrutiny. The unfolding events will likely continue to spark debate about the balance between free expression and the prohibition of incitement to violence.