The Guardian announced it would cease posting content from its official accounts on Elon Musk’s platform, X (formerly Twitter), citing the site’s “toxic” nature and the prevalence of “often disturbing content.”
The Decision to Leave X
In a statement on its website, the left-leaning British newspaper, which has nearly 11 million followers on X, explained that the negative aspects of the platform now outweigh any potential benefits. The paper emphasized that its resources could be better spent promoting journalism elsewhere, away from a platform that it said increasingly hosts harmful content, such as far-right conspiracy theories and racism.
“We’ve been considering this for a while, particularly due to the disturbing content found or promoted on X,” The Guardian stated. The newspaper further explained that the platform had become “a toxic media platform” and that its owner, Elon Musk, had used his influence to shape political discourse in a way that it found troubling.
Impact of the US Election Campaign
The announcement also highlighted the role X played during the US presidential election campaign, which The Guardian described as underscoring its concerns about the platform. The paper claimed that Musk’s influence over X had contributed to a polarizing political environment, exacerbating the spread of misinformation and divisive rhetoric.
Archiving and Accessibility
As of Wednesday, The Guardian’s main account on X remained accessible, but with a message stating, “This account has been archived,” and redirecting visitors to its website. The newspaper clarified that while it would no longer post directly to X, users could still share its articles on the platform. Additionally, The Guardian stated it would “occasionally embed content from X” within its articles, given the need for live news reporting.
Reporters Still Free to Use X
Despite the move, The Guardian made it clear that its reporters would continue to use X, as well as other social media platforms where the paper does not maintain an official presence. The newspaper emphasized that social media remains a valuable tool for reaching new audiences, but that X’s role in promoting its content had diminished.
Musk’s Controversial Ownership of X
Elon Musk purchased Twitter for $44 billion in 2022 and has faced ongoing controversy surrounding his management of the platform. His use of X to influence political discourse, particularly during the 2024 US presidential election, has sparked criticism. Musk publicly supported former President Donald Trump and used his personal account—boasting nearly 205 million followers—to push political messages that some have deemed inflammatory and misleading.
Musk’s Political Influence and New Role
On Tuesday, Trump announced that Musk would take on a new role in his potential administration, leading a “Department of Government Efficiency,” alongside entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. Musk’s involvement in the political sphere, both through his support of Trump and his management of X, continues to attract both attention and controversy.
