"Twitter 2.0 is just as bad as the original"- Internet reacts to X users reportedly getting their verifications revoked after criticizing Elon Musk

On December 27, 2024, X page @AFpost posted that multiple prominent X accounts reported that criticizing Elon Musk's "pro-mass immigration bent" led to the platform revoking their monetization and verification badges. The post showcases accounts like @rawsalerts, @GavinWax, @LauraLoomer, and @OwenShroyer1776, all of which are related to news reporting and journalism.

Journalists like Laura Loomer expressed their opinions condemning Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy's advocacy for hiring foreign-born or first-generation engineers instead of hiring people from America. Loomer's comments followed the appointment of Sriram Krishnan as Trump's senior policy advisor for artificial intelligence (AI).

Netizens quickly took to X to put forth their opinion on the report of accounts reportedly getting their verification revoked for criticizing Musk. An X user tweeted:

"Twitter 2.0 is just as bad as the original. Change my mind."

"One man owns this entire platform…what did people expect to happen when we contradict him?" an X user commented.

"Doesn’t this just prove, or at least give credence to the theory, that there is a single entity that owns them all?" another X user mentioned.

"Not only their accounts, but reportedly some people associated with them also. Like a social credit system, you see," an internet user stated.

Additionally, netizens commented on Musk being a free speech absolutist, speculating that he was allegedly only pretending to advocate for free speech on his platform.

"Elon's had enough of pretending to be a free speech absolutist. He's finally reached a power-level where he doesn't need to consider the people anymore," an X user tweeted.

“Free speech absolutist,” a netizen commented.

"How can this be? I thought Elon saved free speech?" another netizen mentioned.

---

"There is a dire shortage of extremely talented and motivated engineers in America"- Elon Musk speaks on shortage of engineers in Silicon Valley

According to a report by The Hill dated December 26, 2024, a discussion concerning Silicon Valley's hiring practices has been doing the rounds as President-elect Donald Trump plans to implement an immigration strategy promising mass deportations of potentially naturalized citizens.

Furthermore, the Department of Government Efficiency's co-chairs, Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy have been defending Silicon Valley's hiring practices and the dependency of the industry on foreign-born engineers. On December 25, 2024, @MarioNawfal tweeted about the shortage of engineering talent being one of the biggest shortcomings of Silicon Valley.

Responding to the tweet, Musk said that the number of talented and "super motivated" engineers in the USA is "far too low" and that one must think of the system as a pro sports team. The Tesla CEO said that if one wants their team to win the championship, it is important to recruit top talent regardless of where they are from.

Another X user, @iamyesyouareno, asked Elon Musk:

"There are over 330 million people in America. Surely, there must be enough among them to build your ultimate team? Why would you deny real Americans that opportunity by bringing foreigners here? "

The Tesla CEO responded to the X user's tweet, claiming that they had gotten their understanding of the situation backward. His tweet mentioned:

"OF COURSE my companies and I would prefer to hire Americans and we DO, as that is MUCH easier than going through the incredibly painful and slow work visa process. HOWEVER, there is a dire shortage of extremely talented and motivated engineers in America."

His tweet continued:

"This is not about handing out opportunities from some magical hat. You don’t get it. This is blindingly obvious when looking at NBA teams, as the physical differences are so obvious to see. However, the MENTAL differences between humans are FAR bigger than the physical differences!!"

---

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which Elon Musk is a co-chair of, is not a government department and will operate as an advisory body with a direct connection to the White House.

Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy told the Wall Street Journal on November 20, 2024, that they wouldn't serve as federal officials or employees but as outside volunteers.