For Elon Musk, the pill still does not work. The owner of the social network X (formerly Twitter) returned to the charge on Monday against a judge of the Brazilian Supreme Court. He accuses the latter of “censorship” and describes him as a “dictator”, challenging him to debate with him.
The billionaire had already attacked Brazilian magistrate Alexandre de Moraes throughout the weekend, with numerous provocations on the platform that he bought in October 2022.
Elon Musk notably insinuated that he was going to challenge the legal decisions of this magistrate who ordered the blocking of several accounts suspected of spreading disinformation, affirming that he was going to “lift all restrictions”.
Fines of around 18,400 euros
Alexandre de Moares ordered the blocking of accounts of influential figures on social networks, most of them being supporters of far-right ex-president Jair Bolsonaro (2019-2022).
Ultra-conservative political figures have launched a manifesto in Brazil in defense of Elon Musk and his call for the dismissal of Alexandre de Moraes. “Impeachment”, the word used in Brazil for the dismissal of a Supreme Court judge by the Senate, was at the top of the trending topics on X on Monday.
But many voices were also raised to support the magistrate. Supreme Court President Luis Roberto Barroso said in a statement that “any company that operates in Brazil is subject to the constitution,” adding: “Judicial decisions can be appealed, never deliberate disobedience.” .
Alexandre de Moraes did not respond on the social network, but he declared, on Sunday, that he would impose fines of around 18,400 euros, per day for each blocked account that X reactivates and also ordered the opening of an investigation against Elon Musk, citing an alleged “criminal exploitation of X”.
A proposal for debate
Elon Musk used Let’s debate this for real.”
This is the heart of the problem. What do you say @Alexandre?
Let us debate this in the open. https://t.co/E2HsU6Winr
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 8, 2024
In another message, he joked by positioning himself as Alexandre de Moraes' psychoanalyst. “Tell me, Alexander, is disinformation in the room with us now? " he added. And to conclude: “How did @Alexandre de Moraes become the dictator of Brazil? He has Lula on a leash.” “The law applies to everyone, including @Alexandre. He should be tried for his crimes.”
[Scene: @Alexandre & @ElonMusk in psychoanalysis]
I say, “Tell me, Alexandre, is the disinformation in the room with us now?” https://t.co/yhvOmrysaZ
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 8, 2024
Elon Musk is fond of provocation and sometimes claims to be ready to come to blows. Last year, he called for an MMA (mixed martial arts) fight against Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg, one of his main competitors, launching a skirmish which ignited the networks.