Elon Musk Clashes with Stephen King: Accusations, Deadnaming, and X’s Terrorist Funding
In a recent Twitter feud, Elon Musk and Stephen King exchanged verbal blows over the social network’s name change to X and accusations of financial ties to terrorist organizations. Musk’s response to King’s refusal to use the new name took an unexpected turn as he made an anti-trans joke, accusing King of “deadnaming” the platform.
The clash stems from a New York Times report highlighting the Tech Transparency Project’s findings that X might be “potentially violating U.S. sanctions.” The report claims that X Premium, the subscription service providing verified check-mark status, accepted payments from accounts associated with Hezbollah, Houthi groups, and state-run media outlets in Iran and Russia.
While King criticized Musk for the platform’s alleged connections to terrorist organizations, Musk chose to mock the concept of deadnaming instead of addressing the serious allegations. The right-wing Libs of TikTok account even questioned if Stephen King is transphobic, adding another layer to the controversy.
King’s displeasure with Musk’s decision to change the social network’s name is not new, with the author expressing his frustration in a July 2023 post. Musk responded to previous criticisms from King about charging for blue check-marks, suggesting a subscription model priced at $8 per month.
The clash between the two escalated in April 2023 when Musk purged Twitter’s legacy verified accounts, requiring users to subscribe to Twitter Blue (now X Premium) for verification. Despite Musk claiming to personally pay for King’s premium account, the confusion persisted, leading to a restoration of check marks for many, including those not paying the fee.
As Musk remains silent on the Tech Transparency Project report, X released a statement pledging a review and action if necessary. The ongoing feud between Musk and King sheds light on the controversies surrounding X’s financial dealings and its evolving subscription model.
In a recent Twitter feud, Elon Musk and Stephen King exchanged verbal blows over the social network’s name change to X and accusations of financial ties to terrorist organizations. Musk’s response to King’s refusal to use the new name took an unexpected turn as he made an anti-trans joke, accusing King of “deadnaming” the platform.…