Sao Paulo, Brazil – Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and owner of X (formerly known as Twitter), has called for the removal of Brazilian Supreme Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes. In a series of tweets on Sunday, Musk accused the judge of blocking accounts suspected of spreading disinformation and betraying the Brazilian constitution and its people. Musk went on to demand Moraes’ resignation or impeachment. This conflict between Musk and the judge stems from Moraes’ threat to “cut off access” to X, which Musk acquired in 2022.
Musk’s criticism of Judge Moraes is not without controversy. Many view Moraes as a figure who curtails free speech, as he has ordered the blocking of influential figures’ accounts, particularly those who supported former President Jair Bolsonaro. The judge’s actions are in response to allegations of disinformation about Brazil’s electoral system. Moraes currently presides over the Superior Electoral Tribunal and is one of the 11 members of Brazil’s high court.
In response to Moraes’ threats, Musk warned that X may lose all revenue in Brazil and may even have to shut down its office there. However, he expressed that principles matter more than profit. Musk later promised that X would publish all the demanded information and highlight how these requests violate Brazilian law.
Judge Moraes’ role in Brazil’s judiciary has been a divisive one. While critics, including Musk, accuse him of suppressing free speech, others support his efforts to combat disinformation during elections. Fox Business reached out to Moraes for a response but did not receive a reply before publication.
The clash between Elon Musk and Judge Alexandre de Moraes highlights the ongoing tension surrounding free speech on digital platforms, as well as the influence these platforms have in shaping public opinion. The outcome of this conflict could have significant consequences for both X and the Brazilian government. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen if Musk’s calls for Moraes’ removal will gain traction or if this dispute will escalate further.